Send us a text In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast, we sit down with Gary Sheader, the driving force behind the Manufacturers Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead in today’s manufacturing world. We dig into why employee engagement matters more than ever, how it directly impacts productivity, and what leaders can do to create environments where people genuinely want to do their best work. Gary...

Send us a text This week on the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast we welcome Stephen Mitchell, the CEO of SQCDP, a company dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency in manufacturing environments through innovative software solutions. With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, Stephen has a rich professional history that includes significant leadership roles in well-known corporations, such as Nestlé and Coca-Cola. Throughout his career, he has focused on operational excell...

Send us a text In this episode, we explore practical leadership that prioritises speed of decision-making, honest risk, and shared accountability - while empowering true experts to lead within their domain. Graham dives into how dual career tracks, early STEM exposure, and well-defined business processes shape stronger teams and deliver better outcomes. We also discuss the importance of development over ego, diversity in STEM, and why manufacturing still faces a marketing gap despite th...

Send us a text Big news for our community: we’re taking the energy from 100+ conversations and turning it into the Manufacturing Leaders Summit, a purpose-driven day dedicated to real progress in UK manufacturing. On 30 April 2026, we’re gathering at New College Durham to bring together operators, founders, engineers, HR leaders and educators who want solutions that work in the real world. We’re building a programme that blends high-signal talks and hands-on workshops led by speakers with TE...

Send us a text In this episode, we share the real story of how a 4-day working week moved from concept to reality across multiple manufacturing sites. You’ll hear how we designed and trialled the shift with people-first thinking, data-driven decisions, and flexibility at the core. We cover everything from early union conversations to contract changes, phased rollouts, and how we managed customer expectations and KPIs. Learn how we tackled fairness across roles and shifts, made overtime a tool...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Paul Stockhill, Managing Director of Agemaspark in Doncaster, shares insights from his remarkable 55-year journey in UK manufacturing. A passionate advocate for apprenticeships, Paul believes that developing young talent is the only sustainable answer to the sector’s growing skills crisis — and he’s proved it. Every member of his senior management team started their career as an apprentice at Agma Spark — including those who joined him in a successful...

Send us a text 🎧 Jo Lloyd's Leadership Evolution at Expanded Metal 🎧 From administrative temp to Head of People at Expanded Metal, Jo Lloyd shares her inspiring 12-year journey of transforming leadership in manufacturing. In this episode, she dives into how the industry has shifted from command-and-control to a more people-first approach. Key takeaways include: 🖐 Leadership is about guiding – no ego, just collaboration. 🖐 Emotional intelligence fuels better decisions and team energy. 🖐 Auth...

Send us a text When a manufacturer doubles its workforce in just seven years despite industry-wide skills shortages you know they’re doing something special. In this episode, Lorinda Lackay, Operations Director at Minicam, shares the innovative strategies that have transformed this Salford-based wastewater inspection systems manufacturer. ✈️ Growing up near an airfield in South Africa, Lorinda’s early spark for engineering shaped her belief in inspiring young people to see curiosity as the st...

Send us a text Dinosaur leather. Lab-grown meat. Replacement corneas. It might sound like science fiction, but it’s happening right now in Newcastle at 3D BioTissues. Adam Crosby, Director of Operations, reveals how this spin-out from Newcastle University (founded in 2019) is developing groundbreaking biological materials: from luxury leathers genetically verified as dinosaur skin to medical treatments that could change lives. 🔬 How it works: Cells are cultivated using nutrients like gl...

Send us a text From Syria to the UK: Founding an Award-Winning Cheese Brand 🇸🇾🇬🇧🧀 In this episode, Razan Alsous shares her incredible journey from fleeing conflict in Syria to launching Yorkshire Dama Cheese, now one of the UK’s most celebrated artisan cheese brands. Key moments: 💷 Started the business with just £2,500 and repurposed equipment 🧀 Identified a gap in the market for fresh, locally made halloumi 🏆 Won 65+ awards — including at the World Cheese Awards 🌟 Supplies Michelin...

Send us a text Declan Middleton, Engineering Manager at Perry Process Equipment, shares his journey from reluctant work experience student to respected leader and details how one summer placement changed his career trajectory forever. In this episode: 🎮 Declan wanted to be a journalist, until his dad made him try engineering work experience instead. 👷‍♂️ From apprentice to Engineering Manager, now leading and mentoring his own team. 🚀 Encouraging young engineers to take risks, fail fast, an...

Send us a text Matthew Pemrick, Managing Director of Cicor, shares his inspiring journey from apprentice to business leader. He explores how endurance sports like Ironman have shaped his approach to resilient leadership, building inclusive teams, and creating a positive, connected workplace culture. In this episode, we cover: From factory apprentice to MD: Matthew Pemrick shares his leadership journey and lessons learned. Endurance sports & leadership: How Ironman training shaped mental t...

Send us a text Peter Cottle, Head of Supply Chain at Walker Filtration, shares insights on leadership and innovation in modern supply chains: Leadership built on accountability, emotional intelligence, and trustResilience through data visibility, early warning systems, and smart tech investmentSustainability and mentorship as tools to attract talent and drive long-term valueSummary: Peter highlights how strong leadership, technological foresight, and purpose-driven strategies are reshaping t...

Send us a text 🎙️ Transformational Leadership in Manufacturing with Daniel Stanway In this insightful episode, Daniel Stanway, transformational business coach and former manufacturing leader, shares how real change begins with identity, mindset, and trust. Discover how to build a culture where people don’t just comply, they commit. 🔑 Key takeaways: • Why identity-based motivation outperforms traditional incentives • The crucial role of psychological safety in driving continuous improvement ...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Maddison, UK Membership Director at Make UK Defence, to dive into the opportunities opening up for SMEs in the defence sector. We cover everything from MOD spend targets to how SMEs can become "fit for defence" and start winning real work in the industry. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: The push for 25% of MOD spend to go directly to SMEs Upcoming hard targets for primes to work with smaller suppliers How Make UK Defence is supporting SMEs with...

Send us a text In this episode, David Yodaiken shares the lessons learned on his path from working at the ground level in his father's electronics company to becoming CEO of Cyclops Electronics. David talks about the value of gaining outside experience before joining the family business, how trust and over-communication have shaped his leadership, and the importance of breaking unhelpful habits to improve organisational culture. He also explores how Cyclops is focusing on delivering more valu...

Send us a text In this episode, Matthew Stephenson, Managing Director of Sweet Dreams, shares his inspiring 18-year journey — from launching a quirky confectionery brand to selling it successfully to Sugar Rich. He opens up about the highs, lows, and key leadership lessons along the way. 🔹 Leadership means making tough decisions that impact people you care about 🔹 Building a “mental box” helped him compartmentalise challenges and stay focused 🔹 ChocNibbles evolved into a standout ...

Send us a text Celebrating the 100th episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast with Paul Butler, CEO of the North East Automotive Alliance, who shares insights on the strength and future of the region’s automotive sector. Key Highlights: £10.3bn turnover, 27,000 direct jobs, and 12 vehicles produced per employee (UK avg: 3.9)North East leads the UK in automation with 500+ robots per 10,000 workersNissan Sunderland builds 36% of all UK passenger vehicles25% of February’s vehicle sales were ...

Send us a text 🎙️ Elfie, Director at Egger Hexham, shares how strong values and bold leadership have built one of the North East’s most respected manufacturers. 🔹 Family values & respect shape a culture where generations choose to work 🔹 1,400 applicants for their apprenticeship program – and 20% of staff are ex-apprentices 🔹 Long-term thinking & reinvestment are core to Egger’s success 🔹 Sustainability has been central to their strategy for decades 🌱 👇 Like, subscri...

Send us a text Valda Goodfellow the co-owner of Goodfellow and Goodfellow, was this weeks guest on the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast. Valda had a dream from the age of 8 years old of building a UK manufacturing factory. She shares her bold journey of grit, vision, and fearless leadership. 🏭 Obsessed with the magic of making 🚫 Calls out the risks of remote work 🤝 Champions collaboration over competition 💼 Sold her company but far from slowing down 💬 “If you really...