Innovation and Design Panel

Join us for an informative and thought provoking session as we discuss the latest in Innovation and Design with some of the Industry's leading companies

Our Panel

Calibre Design - Future of AI in Design - Tim Greene & Aaron Johnson

Blender. - ‘Strategic Innovation by Design’ - Ian Milligan

Shear Edge - ‘Innovative abilities and complexities of fibre composite plastics’ - Logan Williams

Tim Greene

Tim Greene is CEO of Caliber Design. He comes from a background in machine design for the food industry and has a solid grounding in Lean Manufacturing. With a knack for turning ideas into reality, Tim excels at guiding diverse teams through complex technical projects, system implementations, and product launches. His unique blend of business acumen, practical engineering experience, and people leadership makes him a driving force behind Caliber’s success. Tim’s role gives him insight into the full spectrum of New Zealand engineering—from startups to consultancies, production facilities to OEMs—keeping him closely connected to the trends shaping the industry’s future.

Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson is Analysis Lead at Caliber Design. With more than a decade of experience, his project highlights include liquid hydrogen development with Fabrum, co-founding a deep-tech energy storage startup, leading Formula SAE to its best-ever finish as Chief Engineer, and working on the design of amphibious vehicles. Aaron brings a systems-level mindset, balancing technical depth with strategic thinking. He’s a strong advocate for collaboration and continuous learning and is currently exploring how AI can enhance the way engineers design and problem-solve. Aaron is passionate about mentoring others and lifting the standard of engineering across Aotearoa.

Ian Milligan

With eleven years of experience in Industrial Design and Product Development since graduating from AUT University, Ian has built a strong foundation in bringing products to life. His career includes experience in many facets of design for manufacture. Ian joined the Blender design team in 2020 as a Product Design Engineer and progressed into a senior role in 2023. He has collaborated with clients across various sectors, including medical, commercial furniture, and both commercial and non-commercial spaces. Designing plastic components for both local and overseas manufacturing is a consistent aspect of his work. As a PDE at Blender, Ian often acts as the interchange between Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering. Ian understands how critical  it is to bridge  the gap between these two disciplines, enabling Blender to deliver commercially successful products and provide valuable expertise to clients