Around 300 delegates gathered at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry and online on 23 October 2025 for the third annual Women in Manufacturing UK Conference, which shone a spotlight on inclusive leadership as the key to securing the future of UK manufacturing.

Organised by Women in Manufacturing UK (WiM UK) – a national initiative led by the Institute for Manufacturing in partnership with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Innovate UK Business Connect – the conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to explore how diversity and inclusion can drive innovation, resilience, and competitiveness across the sector.

A national ambition for inclusion

The conference builds on the growing momentum behind WiM UK’s “35 by 35” ambition to increase women’s representation in manufacturing to 35% by 2035.

According to the Women in UK Manufacturing 2025: Leading with Inclusion, led by authors from the IfM and launched at the conference, women now make up 28.4% of the UK manufacturing workforce, with representation in senior roles rising to 24.8%. However, with nearly a quarter of the workforce expected to retire within the next decade, the report calls for urgent action to attract and retain diverse talent, and outlines five guiding principles for embedding inclusive leadership across organisations.

Jennifer Castañeda Navarrete and Valeria Ramirez, PhD, shared key insights from the report, highlighting how embedding fairness, equity, and diversity across the manufacturing sector is not only the right thing to do – it’s essential for building competitiveness and resilience.

Drawing on new national data and real-world case studies, the report highlights how inclusive leadership drives innovation and productivity and introduces five clear principles to help leaders create workplaces where everyone can thrive, centred on flexibility, well-being, and equitable opportunities.

Voices from across industry

The event featured keynote talks and panel discussions from leaders shaping the future of manufacturing. Highlights included:

• The IfM's Jennifer Castañeda Navarrete’s keynote launching the Women in UK Manufacturing 2025: Leading with Inclusion report, setting the tone for the day.
• Insightful contributions from Katherine Bennett CBE (High Value Manufacturing Catapult), Rebecca Schapira (Department for Business and Trade), Gary Sheader (Manufacturers Alliance), and Lee Chambers (Male Allies UK). 
• Baroness Jacqui Smith, the Minister for Skills and Women and Equalities, on why we should care about all forms of equality in industry and why this is the route to a stronger society
• Inspiring stories and actionable ideas on allyship, digital transformation, and co-creating the future of manufacturing.

“This marks the third year of the Women in Manufacturing Conference, and I must say it was brilliant!” commented Neo Chatyoka, Founder of Uhuru Botanicals and the Cosmetic Formulation Academy. “I especially loved listening to the Apprenticeship Panel, offering an inspiring early careers perspective on inclusive manufacturing. There is so much to learn from the next generation of talent; their insight, curiosity and optimism are shaping the future of our industry,”

Gary Sheader, Founder and Managing Director of The Manufacturers’ Alliance adds, "Despite women making up 50% of the UK labour force, they still represent only 28.4% of the manufacturing workforce. That’s why this event matters, and why the movement is growing.From amazing keynote speeches to fireside chats and interactive workshops, the day was packed with evidence-based insights and courageous conversations. This isn’t just about representation. It’s about reimagining leadership, where authenticity, empathy, and equity are the norm, not the exception.”

Inclusive leadership as competitive advantage

In her keynote address, Katherine Bennett CBE emphasised the strategic importance of inclusion: “In an increasingly complex and polarised world, the values of equality, diversity and inclusion are more important than ever – not as optional ideals, but as essential drivers of innovation, resilience and long-term growth. Inclusive leadership is not a soft skill – it is a competitive advantage.”

Dr Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete, Principal Policy Analyst at IfM Engage and lead author of the WiM 2025 report, added: “Inclusive leadership is about seeing potential where others see difference. When we lead with inclusion, we open pathways for innovation, competitiveness, and a stronger manufacturing future for the UK.”

Kate Willsher, Chief Operating Officer at IfM Engage, highlighted the human dimension: “Manufacturing’s future depends on how we value people – their ideas, experiences, and aspirations. Events like the WiM Conference show that inclusion is not an abstract goal but a shared commitment to building a sector where everyone can thrive. The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge is proud to host and organise this year’s event alongside High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Innovate UK Business Connect.”

Building a stronger, more diverse manufacturing future

Since its founding in 2022, WiM UK has become a central voice in shaping national efforts to improve gender balance in manufacturing. Through its research, industry partnerships, and policy engagement, the initiative continues to provide practical pathways to build inclusive workplaces and empower women at all levels of the sector.

Ruth Day, Director of Communications and Engagement at the High Value Manufacturing Catapult sums-up her experience, “What a wonderful day at our third Women in Manufacturing event. Such passionate and inspiring speakers and our biggest audience ever! I was honoured to have played a part in making it happen with a great team between the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the IfM and Innovate UK Business Connect. I look forward to seeing the movement continue to grow”

The Women in UK Manufacturing 2025 report is available to download here.

The Women in Manufacturing Conference 2025 was kindly supported by sponsors Lloyds Bank, Carlsberg-Britvic, Arla, and Enginuity.