Inspiring Leader
The Manufacturer Top 100 is a showcase of those individuals who go that extra mile in their work. Nominated by their peers and judged by an expert panel, they represent the very best of the UK manufacturing industry. Discover individuals who played no small part in that collective effort, whether it be diversifying their businesses to meet demands for PPE or those who were part of the Ventilator Challenge.
Celebrating seven years of inspirational industry leaders
A member of the Top 100 alumni is someone who meets the following judging criteria:
Bold Investor in New Markets
Driver of
Cultural Change
Unsung Hero
Young Pioneer
Innovator
The Manufacturer Top 100 are the most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing, as nominated by The Manufacturer’s 265k-strong audience, the wider industrial community, and judged by our esteemed judging panel featuring leaders of industry, academic institutions and manufacturing associations.
Publicly recognise the heroes of UK manufacturing, those who stand out for their contribution to changing the face of industry; finding new markets; making a marked investment in people, processes, technology, and customers, or for making an impact disproportionate to their years.
Once again, we are scouring the length and breadth of the nation to find 100 of the greatest people working in manufacturing; 100 unique and uplifting stories of struggle, grit, determination, and success against all the odds, personal tales of individuals helping to change popular perceptions of careers in manufacturing and draw young people into sector.
Hear from our winners...
"I learned early on that women could do just what men do. (My mum) convinced me there were no limits because of my gender, that I could do anything."
Ayesha Lumsden, Top 100 Exemplar
"I look at this building which four years ago was just a patch of grass and I say, 'Yeah, we were nothing. Now we are an accepted business partner for these companies'."
Joern Behrenroth, Top 100 Exemplar
"Pitch yourself against the best in the world and focus on being better than them."
James Grainger, Top 100 Exemplar
"I must have done something right. I was making big savings and changes to the way Ford was running their lines."
Michael Higgins, Top 100 Exemplar.
"As a woman ... you kind of have to prove that you're competent at the job. (But) I do think times are changing and things are getting better."
Jane Kangton, Top 100 Exemplar
"The industrial placement year was spent at Morgan, which not only fuelled my passion for manufacturing, but also offered me a career path"
Paul Jones, Top 100 Exemplar
“The truth is we do make things – we are the world’s ninth largest manufacturing nation – and careers are very well paid. But there are too few skilled young people coming through the system. It is on behalf of that new generation that we do this.
“We want to break down the decades-old prejudice against manufacturing. We want parents to get excited about recommending a career in manufacturing to their offspring, not see it (so erroneously) as an occupation of last resort. We must not let the prejudices of yesterday poison the opportunities of tomorrow.”
– Nick Peters, Editorial Director of The Manufacturer and of The Manufacturer Top 100 report