In this special series of Change Makers, host Michael Hayman meets the business owners delivering positive impact for their people, their communities and the northern economy: leaders driving growth in unexpected places and sectors, nurturing skills for the future, leveraging innovation strategies, investing in nature, and fostering inclusive social change.

In this episode, he speaks to Rachael Baker, Managing Director at JJ Smith & Co Ltd. A fourth-generation leader, Rachael reveals how she pivoted from a PhD in veterinary parasitology to running a century-old family firm. She shares what it means to lead a Merseyside manufacturer with employees who’ve stayed for nearly 50 years, how offsite construction can cut waste, and why inspiring the next generation is key to building the homes of the future.