Job Title: President
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?
The last year has been another challenging one for manufacturing. The impact of the Budget, tariffs and the drive to net zero have made it difficult for the companies we represent. Every week, I see the resilience of UK manufacturers as they work to adapt and thrive in a changing landscape. I’ve relayed my year in my weekly LinkedIn Post ‘My week in manufacturing’ where I’ve been humbled by the amount of views and comments received. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, it’s a reflection of the whole CBM team and the vital work we do supporting our members and the manufacturing sector as whole.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be genuine, honest and true to yourself and compassionate to others and their needs.
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
It will always be a complicated pressing for me but I’m also getting to appreciate the complexity in forging and fasteners as well.
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
When Aston Villa won the league in 1980/81. l was fortunate to go to every game, home and away.
If you weren’t in manufacturing what would be your dream job?
Probably a journalist – maybe a football reporter. We always think we know more and can do it better.
