He studied at Imperial College London for BSc(Eng) Hons in Mineral Technology (1983) and PhD in photoelectro chemistry applied to industrial diamond separation processes (awarded 1998).
Following a period in Johannesburg and Welkom, working as a trainee graduate metallurgist working in gold and uranium in processing for Anglo American Corporation (1979/80), he later joined De Beers Industrial Diamonds Research Laboratory, undertaking a PhD based in South Africa and Imperial College London (Royal School of Mines) (1982–1986).
In 1993 he was appointed Royal Academy of Engineering-Rio Tinto Professor of Minerals Engineering at the University of Exeter (based at the Camborne School of Mines).
He has a strong interest in design of appropriate innovation systems and effective translation of knowledge to society through commercial and not-for-profit routes in Europe and in developing communities in Middle East, Asia and Africa.
He was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham in 2011,[4] responsible for the operation of nine schools and a range of related business and innovation activities in the UK.
Professor Williams said of his appointment, "I am delighted to be joining a University that has a proud heritage and evident track record of outstanding achievement in science, engineering and business and with such a profound global reach.
I look forward to working with students and colleagues across the campuses in the UK, Malaysia and Dubai, along with our many partners and businesses in the ensuring the University’s future growth and success".
[10] He has been associated with several major developments arising from research activities, most of these being in areas related to enhancing the environmental sustainability of engineering and manufacturing through better design or energy utilisation.
For example, electrical sensors have been used to replace nuclear density gauges routinely in hydraulic dredging with major environment and security benefit.
[13] He developed and co-developed new concepts in manufacturing emulsions that were commercialised through Disperse Technologies PLC (1995–2001) that are widely used in consumer and cosmetic products.
Pioneering the use of environmental x-ray microtomography, he co-developed new computer models for describing how anisotropic particulate materials pack together[17][18] that resulted in software that can be used in pharmaceutical,[19] and other sectors, most notable being, its application to reduce the cost of decommissioning and long-term storage of radioactive nuclear, medical, and military plants.
[24] He developed methodology for the practise of open-innovation in medicine and healthcare technologies using trans-national (UK-US) regional partnerships between clinicians and universities in Yorkshire and New Jersey, working with numerous stakeholders (200) and suppliers.