Speakers

Graduating from the University of Sheffield in June 2013 with a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Michael joined Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as a graduate in September 2013. Throughout his 10 years within the business, Michael has spent most of his time working in virtual engineering. Having pioneered simulation automation within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Michael was promoted to Technical Specialist – CAE Automation in 2021. Michael is the business leader driving development of simulation templates and leading ​the business’ transformation to better integration of CAD and CAE processes within Product Engineering at JLR. As of 2025, Michael also became leader of the CAD Automation team combining the two disciplines. Michael is a member of the IMechE as a Chartered Engineer.

Denis started his engineering career as a car mechanic apprentice, igniting a passion for design for repair and recycling. He completed a MSc in Automotive Engineering and trained as a Lightweight Engineering Specialist with the Association of German Engineers “VDI”. He spent 3 years in Mechanical Drivetrain Development at an Italian automotive OEM and 5 years in Lightweight Chassis and Body Design at a German Composites Specialist before setting out on his own. He founded his own company in 2022 focusing on "EcoDesign" for automotive and alternative mobility applications with bio-based- and multi-materials.

Mr. Cheng Ming holds a master’s degree from South China University of Technology. He focuses on the application of technologies such as structural finite element analysis, scientific visualization, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) throughout the entire lifecycle of architecture.

He joined the Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA Champion Program in 2023. He won the first prize in the Engineering Simulation Innovation Design Competition at the 2021 Belt and Road & BRICS Skills Competition. He has also received 3 provincial and ministerial-level science and technology awards, published more than 20 high-level academic papers, and owns 10 software copyrights and 3 granted patents.

Pranit is the Technical Project Lead at HORYZN, overseeing the overall technical development of the GoAERO Drone. He drives key design decisions and ensures all technical aspects of the project come together seamlessly. Pranit is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Technical University of Munich.

Diana leads the Aerostructures team at HORYZN, where she is responsible for the drone’s CAD design and structural optimization. She ensures that the GoAERO Drone is not only lightweight and efficient but also structurally robust. Diana is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Aerospace at the Technical University of Munich.

Lucas heads the Business and Authorization team at HORYZN. As the primary liaison between the team and industry partners, he manages sponsor relations and external collaborations. Lucas is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Technical University of Munich.

Olivier SAPPIN has 30 years of expertise in Product Development & End to End Virtual Product / Experience Innovation, and has been CEO of CATIA at Dassault Systèmes since December 2019.

Olivier started his career at Dassault Systèmes (3DS) in 1995 in CATIA’s Shape Design Industrialization Team. He then joined the 3DS international Automotive Competency Center working with renowned customers such as HONDA, FIAT,BMW, CHRYSLER and PSA to help transform design practices in the area of carbody and styling. Through these experiences, Olivier acquired deep knowledge of the automotive sector and customers’ business processes.

In 2011, Olivier was appointed Vice President of the newly defined Transportation & Mobility industry, which assists manufacturers and suppliers to develop new mobility experiences for their consumers.

As CATIA CEO, Olivier empowers the Community of Design Innovators to Engineer and Experience the best System of System from Concept to Experience Driven Engineering.

Michelle ASH is a dynamic, engaging, and goal-oriented senior executive who specializes in transformational roles, including business model reorientation, strategy development, implementation, and cultural change. She is passionate about transforming organizations that face challenges like rapid change and disruption, helping them reach their full potential. She is also a relationship-builder and values enabling stakeholders to achieve success.

In the past, Michelle has held key positions at BHP, as Vice President of Strategy for Growth, and at Barrick Gold as CIO, where she developed her passion for science, technology, and digital innovation. She also served as COO at Acacia Mining. She currently participates as a board member of several organizations, including Railveyor, Magnium, SAPHI, and StratumAI.

She earned a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 1992 and holds Graduate Diplomas in both Business and Economics, as well as an EMBA.

Michelle is also very familiar with Dassault Systèmes having held the position of GEOVIA CEO and Infrastructure Industry Segment Executive from 2019 to 2022.

Morgan ZIMMERMANN is the CEO Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE brand, where he is responsible for all aspects of the brand strategy, portfolio and business operations. He has over 20 years of experience in AI, big data and digital transformation. 

Since joining Dassault Systèmes in 2010 with upon the acquisition of EXALEAD, a market leader in search platforms and search-based applications, Morgan has been devoted to furthering the capabilities of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to reveal information intelligence using AI and big data to transform implicit or explicit information into actionable knowledge and know-how. While in charge of EXALEAD Strategy, Sales and Business Development, Morgan expanded the brand’s presence across international markets.

He was appointed CEO of EXALEAD in 2015, quickly restructuring the product portfolio serving all Dassault Systèmes customers. After leading the acquisition of PROXEM to empower the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with state-of-the-art, AI-driven natural language, Morgan spearheaded the consolidation of all data and AI brands under a single brand: NETVIBES. 

A frequent speaker at international conferences, Morgan is passionate about helping customers to realize the power of data to transform their business.

Joe graduated from Cambridge University and gained a PhD from Imperial College before joining Jaguar Cars as an aerodynamicist in 1998. Joe was responsible for the aerodynamic development of a number of Jaguar vehicles, using physical tests methods and CFD and eventually became the Technical Specialist for Aerodynamics at JLR. Joe then joined Exa Corporation in 2005, as their first UK employee, in order to focus exclusively on CFD with the PowerFLOW toolset.

At Exa, Joe was heavily involved in the development and deployment of the PowerFLOW toolset for automotive and motorsport across the world. In 2017 Exa was acquired by Dassault Systèmes, as part of their SIMULIA Brand. Joe now manages a team dedicated to delivering automated simulation & optimization process to SIMULIA customers worldwide.

Daniel PYZAK graduated in Mechanical Engineering. He has over 38 years of experience in CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM. After positions held in technical support and product management in various CAD/CAM companies (Cisi, Cisigraph, Matra Datavision), he joined Dassault Systèmes Provence in 1999 to manage the Competency Center. The main activities of the DSP Competency Center are around tooling, machining, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping/additive manufacturing and data exchanges.

Ten years later, he became responsible of different CATIA technical teams inside for EMEAR (Design, Engineering). And since January 2020, he’s managed the worldwide CATIA Mechanical Industry Process Success organization with a strong focus on Lightweight Engineering: Generative Design, Composites, Mold & Die, Additive Manufacturing, Modeling & Simulation.