Britain’s manufacturing heroes named in Birmingham

Published 9th June 2023

Our CEO Tony Ryan has been selected in The Manufacturer Top 100 for 2023. He was the proud winner of the award for 'Sector Activist' which showcases the tireless work Tony has undertaken championing the subject of D&T to ensure a better future for the manufacturing sector.

The Manufacturer's annual awards for the 100 most inspirational individuals working in UK industry were announced Wednesday the 7th of June at a gala reception at the NEC in Birmingham. 

Tony continues, "I was both delighted and humbled to receive this award. When you are fighting a long battle for subject recognition and regeneration it can, at times, feel like you are treading a long and lonely path. This award demonstrates that people within manufacturing are noticing the Association's work and what's more, it is valued.

 It was an absolute pleasure to stand on stage with friends and colleagues to collect this award. We continue re-energised and more certain than ever of the role that design and technology has to play in creating the next generation of thinkers, creatives and innovators to maintain UK manufacturing as a world leader."

The Manufacturer Top 100 project publicly recognises the most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing. Soon after the start of this decade, several academic and parliamentary studies identified a clear lack of visible role models within manufacturing. In response, The Manufacturer Top 100 project launched in 2014 to promote the exciting, well-paid and fulfilling careers that exist in the sector.

Awardees are drawn from every walk of UK industry, and at any stage of their career, from top floor to shop floor. From Young Pioneers who are establishing a new generation of makers in UK industry, to Inspiring Leaders and Drivers of Cultural Change to the Innovators and Unsung Heroes, these are the people who are helping the make UK manufacturing the innovation sector it is today.

They are selected from hundreds of nominations for the examples they set to draw young people into the sector; 100 unique and uplifting stories of struggle, grit, determination and success against all the odds, personal tales of individuals helping to drive UK manufacturing forward – and to change popular perceptions of careers in industry.

The Manufacturer Top 100 judging panel includes:

  • John Ahmet Erkoyuncu, Professor of Digital Engineering, Cranfield University
  • Ruth Amos, Engineer and Inventor, StairSteady
  • Learie Attzs, Institute of Directors, Cranfield University
  • Donna Bruce, Managing Director Northern Lights
  • Anita Davenport-Brooks, Group HR Manager, Lander Automotive
  • Katy Davies former Managing Director, Camden Boss
  • Elizabeth Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer, Women's Engineering Society (WES)
  • Chris Greenough, Chief Commercial Officer, SDE Technology
  • Brian Henry, Vice President, MMIP / Pfizer
  • Rashitha Jayasekara, Chief of Digital Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce
  • John Patsavellas, Senior Lecturer, Cranfield University
  • Carl Perrin, CEO, Institute for Clean Growth & Future Mobility
  • Peter Round, President, Royal Aeronautical Society
  • James Selka, Chief Executive Officer, MTA
  • Emily Smith, Operations & Finance Director & Chair of ICAEW Manufacturing Advisory Group, Michael Smith Switchgear
  • Sam Turner, CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) Belfast
  • Bill Williams, CEO, Alloy Fabweld
  • Ken Young, Chief Technology Officer, The MTC

 Read more: The Manufacturer Top 100

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