Neil MacDonald was installed in the annual position of Master Cutler in October 2012*. In this role Neil represents and promotes manufacturing and technology industry in the Sheffield City Region.

An accountant by profession, Neil spent 10 years with KPMG, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1980. He joined Firth Rixson, the International Aerospace Engineering Group in 1987 and became Group Finance Director in 1994. Firth Rixson was then a public company, Neil oversaw a period of significant growth, including the acquisition of Aurora in 1999. He led the public to private transaction in 2003, securing a successful exit for private equity owner Carlyle in 2006.

Never a man to retire quietly, after a brief respite Neil returned to industry in 2007 as Group Finance Director of the innovative and fast growing mechanical seal manufacture AES Engineering. He stepped down from the Finance Director role when he became Master Cutler, though he remains a non executive director.

Neil is very active in Sheffield and has numerous non executive and trustee roles including Sheffield Theatres Trust, The Children’s Hospital Board, St. Lukes Hospice and the University of Sheffield Finance Committee.

Interests include good food and wine, travel and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.

*The Cutlers' Company was founded in 1624 and is made up of 450 Freemen. Its Freemen are owners, directors or senior managers of manufacturing businesses in the Sheffield City Region.