The Women in Manufacturing Conference (WiM25), held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, brought together people from all corners of the manufacturing sector who share a passion for creating a more inclusive future.
Centred around the theme “Beyond Barriers – Leading with Inclusion,” the event was a day filled with honest conversations, powerful insights, and genuine connection. It highlighted the progress being made to build a fairer and more representative manufacturing industry while also recognising that there’s still plenty of work to do to make sure everyone feels seen, valued, and supported to reach their potential.
From the launch of the Women in Manufacturing Report 2025 to discussions on allyship, inclusive innovation, and leadership authenticity, WiM25 shone a light on the positive change already happening in the sector and the collective determination to keep that momentum going.
Our Founder and Managing Director, Gary Sheader, had the privilege of facilitating a panel discussion at the Conference on the “The Hidden Depths of Inclusive Leadership.”
As both a passionate advocate for human-centred leadership and a member of the Industry Advisory Board for Women in Manufacturing UK, Gary has been closely involved in the movement to create greater diversity, equity, and opportunity across the sector.
Exploring the Hidden Depths of Inclusive Leadership
The panel brought together a diverse mix of voices from across the industry, each sharing their unique experiences and perspectives on leadership, inclusion, and courage.
Katherine Deane, Associate Professor and Access Ambassador at the University of East Anglia an advocate for inclusive design and accessibility, spoke about bravery in challenging systems and the importance of representation.
Elissa Coatesworth, Apprentice at MTC shared her experience as a young engineer, highlighting that vulnerability and self-awareness are key to building trust and psychological safety.
Jennifer Griffith, Project Lead at National Manufacturing Institute explored the often-undervalued strengths of empathy, collaboration, and listening, all traits that form the foundation of human-centred leadership.
Jennifer Hughes, General Manager at Transicon shared her real-world journey of leading cultural change in a traditional SME environment, showing that inclusion is as much about everyday actions as it is about long-term vision.
Reflecting on the session, Gary said, “It was deeply moving to witness the honesty and strength of the speakers and the openness of the audience. This isn’t just about representation it’s about reimagining leadership where authenticity, empathy, and equity are the norm, not the exception.”
A Shared Mission to Lead Beyond Barriers
Despite women making up nearly half of the UK labour force, they still represent just over a quarter of the manufacturing workforce. Events like WiM25 are helping to address this imbalance not just by celebrating women’s contributions, but by sparking meaningful action to create lasting change.
As part of his ongoing role on the Industry Advisory Board, Gary continues to champion initiatives that attract and retain more women in manufacturing, ensure equal opportunities for advancement, and foster workplaces where diverse perspectives are genuinely valued.
“I’ve always believed that manufacturing is at its best when people feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work,” Gary shared. “The more inclusive we become as leaders, the stronger and more resilient our organisations will be.”
Inclusive Leadership at the Heart of the Manufacturers’ Alliance
At the Manufacturers’ Alliance, inclusive leadership isn’t just something we talk about it’s something we live and breathe. We support leaders to develop and grow so they can lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and inclusion, and create cultures, environments, and organisations that are human-centred, purpose-driven, and empowering for all.
For us, inclusion starts with how we show up as people, how we listen, how we communicate, and how we make others feel. It’s the small, everyday actions that build trust and belonging: inviting quieter voices into the conversation, admitting when we don’t have all the answers, and creating space for everyone to contribute and grow.
We’ve seen time and again that when leaders prioritise inclusion, they don’t just build stronger teams they build stronger communities. When people feel valued and supported, creativity flourishes, collaboration deepens, and performance follows naturally. Diversity of thought and experience becomes a genuine advantage, not just an aspiration.
A Call to Action for Leaders Across Manufacturing
The WiM25 conference served as a powerful reminder that progress is happening, but there’s still more to do. Every leader regardless of gender, background, or role has the opportunity to be part of that change.
Inclusive leadership isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about everyday choices. Listening with intent. Giving others a platform. Challenging bias when you see it. Showing empathy, even when it’s not easy.
As Gary reflected after the conference: “Let’s keep building. Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep leading with authenticity and making a change. By embracing inclusive leadership not as a strategy, but as a shared responsibility we can continue to shape a manufacturing sector that truly represents the people who power it, and build a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone.”
