Keith Carpenter MSc MCQI CQP is a proven quality professional, Lean practitioner and Six Sigma Black Belt. He has extensive experience of implementing effective business solutions across many organisations and business sectors.

Following an apprenticeship as a toolmaker, he progressed to Chief Inspector, with responsibility for all quality issues, including developing and implementing a BS5750 management system. Moving to California, he assumed Quality Assurance responsibilities for a major aerospace company producing components for high-profile aerospace programmes. Returning to the UK, he developed his expertise studying advanced techniques including Statistical Process Control, Failure Modes Effects Analysis, and Design of Experiments. This led to work at Nissan Manufacturing UK, where further practical experience was gained coordinating quality improvement in a Lean high-volume environment.

Returning to the aerospace sector, Keith joined Aerostructures, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Aerospace, and rapidly progressed from Senior Quality Engineer to Project Manager Eurofighter Programmes, to Quality Systems Manager. During his tenure, successes included the introduction of Advanced Quality Techniques, construction and deployment of externally approved management systems, rationalisation of inspection activities through use of statistics and maintenance of many aerospace customer approvals.

Moving to De La Rue Cash Systems as Quality Manager, Keith lead quality and improvement programmes in a electro-mechanical assembly operation. He was then approached by the Engineering Employers Federation and joined them to develop new products including Total Quality Management, Continual and Rapid Improvement Methodologies, Lean expertise and Six Sigma.

Keith is a Director and Partner of Total Business Innovation Ltd, providers of management and business improvement training and consultancy services. He has supported various organisations throughout Europe.