Job Title: CEO
Company: Confederation of British Metalforming
Tell us a bit about yourself. This can include telling us what fires you up about the job you do, your professional achievements, your career highlights. What inspires you? What attracted you to pursue a career in manufacturing? Is there anything else you’d like to say about either your job or UK manufacturing?
I feel very fortunate to be involved in a sector that delivers so much value to the UK economy and touches every conceivable element of daily life. And what a journey it has been. I’ve spent 43 years with the Confederation of British Metalforming, rising from work experience on a youth training scheme to CEO – all achieved while completing a business and management degree, working full-time and bringing up three children.
During this time, I’ve worked with a fantastic team to implement energy services for members that has saved over £100m in energy tax and continue to lobby the government to ensure our world class companies can compete on the global stage. The resilience of these businesses is what really inspires me.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Always work hard on the job or task you are tackling. The right employer will notice that and look to promote you – it’s very hard to master that trait.
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
A hip joint, made from metal. It is the perfect example of how design and engineering can provide a solution that radically improves someone’s health.
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
I like telling this story. Not many people will believe it, but I’ve actually bungee jumped in South Africa from the world’s highest bridge bungee jump!
If you weren’t in manufacturing what would be your dream job?
A midwife. What better feeling can there be than helping someone else bring a new life into the world?