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When a manufacturer doubles its workforce in just seven years despite industry-wide skills shortages you know they’re doing something special.

In this episode, Lorinda Lackay, Operations Director at Minicam, shares the innovative strategies that have transformed this Salford-based wastewater inspection systems manufacturer.

✈️ Growing up near an airfield in South Africa, Lorinda’s early spark for engineering shaped her belief in inspiring young people to see curiosity as the start of an engineering career.

🌍 Diversity as a strength: with 15+ nationalities across just 60 employees, Minicam proves how varied perspectives fuel innovation, resilience, and adaptability.

📚 Rethinking the apprenticeship levy: reskilling existing employees mid-career, moving experienced shop-floor talent into quality and safety roles, while creating new career pathways.

🤝 Culture as the driver: from collaborative hubs to open workbench layouts, Minicam shows how an environment that encourages conversation and ideas leads to lasting change.

Whether you’re tackling recruitment challenges, looking to futureproof skills, or building a stronger culture, Lorinda’s story shows what’s possible when manufacturing leaders think differently.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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Dinosaur leather. Lab-grown meat. Replacement corneas.
It might sound like science fiction, but it’s happening right now in Newcastle at 3D BioTissues.

Adam Crosby, Director of Operations, reveals how this spin-out from Newcastle University (founded in 2019) is developing groundbreaking biological materials: from luxury leathers genetically verified as dinosaur skin to medical treatments that could change lives.

🔬 How it works:

 Cells are cultivated using nutrients like glucose and growth factors, multiplying naturally to form tissues. Unlike traditional methods, 3D BioTissues produce pure biological materials without scaffolding—a world-first approach.

✨ Key innovations:

• 🦖 Dinosaur leather already drawing attention from luxury fashion houses
• 🍖 Pure lab-grown meat created without scaffolding
• 👁️ Lab-grown corneas with the potential to transform eye treatments for both animals and humans

👤 Leadership & culture:
Adam champions a servant leadership style—empowering people to succeed whether he’s in the office or not. The team uses suggestion systems and innovation forms to encourage fresh ideas at every level.

⚠️ Challenges for the region:
Despite world-class universities, many Northeast graduates move south to the Oxford–Cambridge–London “Golden Triangle” where funding is richer. Local combined authorities are now working together to support the science industry with better funding and specialist lab space.

🚀 The future:
From dinosaur watch straps to vision-saving medical breakthroughs, 3D BioTissues is proof that the Northeast is shaping the future of science and manufacturing.

👉 Listen to the full conversation now, and don’t forget to like and subscribe to help share these innovations.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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From Syria to the UK: Founding an Award-Winning Cheese Brand 🇸🇾🇬🇧🧀

In this episode, Razan Alsous shares her incredible journey from fleeing conflict in Syria to launching Yorkshire Dama Cheese,  now one of the UK’s most celebrated artisan cheese brands.

Key moments:
💷 Started the business with just £2,500 and repurposed equipment
🧀 Identified a gap in the market for fresh, locally made halloumi
🏆 Won 65+ awards — including at the World Cheese Awards
🌟 Supplies Michelin-starred restaurants and top farm shops
🎓 Balanced growth with studying food technology to strengthen the business

An inspiring story of grit, vision, and building something truly special against all odds.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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Declan Middleton, Engineering Manager at Perry Process Equipment, shares his journey from reluctant work experience student to respected leader and details how one summer placement changed his career trajectory forever.

In this episode:

• 🎮 Declan wanted to be a journalist, until his dad made him try engineering work experience instead.

• 👷‍♂️ From apprentice to Engineering Manager, now leading and mentoring his own team.

• 🚀 Encouraging young engineers to take risks, fail fast, and grow through real-world learning.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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Matthew Pemrick, Managing Director of Cicor, shares his inspiring journey from apprentice to business leader. He explores how endurance sports like Ironman have shaped his approach to resilient leadership, building inclusive teams, and creating a positive, connected workplace culture.

In this episode, we cover:

From factory apprentice to MD: Matthew Pemrick shares his leadership journey and lessons learned.

Endurance sports & leadership: How Ironman training shaped mental toughness and business resilience.

Building inclusive teams: Creating a 50/50 workforce naturally—by hiring the best, not by design.

Culture of connection: Leading with visibility, empathy, and a fear-free, people-first approach.

Purpose-driven action: Supporting apprenticeships, communities, and continuous improvement, even in downturns.

"Don't wait for your boat to come ashore, swim out to reach it."

#LeadershipJourney #ResilientLeadership #InclusiveWorkplace #EnduranceMindset #BusinessResilience #FromApprenticeToLeader #IronmanMindset #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleFirstLeadership

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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Peter Cottle, Head of Supply Chain at Walker Filtration, shares insights on leadership and innovation in modern supply chains:

• Leadership built on accountability, emotional intelligence, and trust
• Resilience through data visibility, early warning systems, and smart tech investment
• Sustainability and mentorship as tools to attract talent and drive long-term value

Summary:
Peter highlights how strong leadership, technological foresight, and purpose-driven strategies are reshaping the supply chain landscape—making it more resilient, future-ready, and people-focused.

Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share to support the podcast.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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🎙️ Transformational Leadership in Manufacturing with Daniel Stanway

In this insightful episode, Daniel Stanway, transformational business coach and former manufacturing leader, shares how real change begins with identity, mindset, and trust. Discover how to build a culture where people don’t just comply, they commit.

🔑 Key takeaways:
• Why identity-based motivation outperforms traditional incentives
• The crucial role of psychological safety in driving continuous improvement
• How to lead with values, not just metrics or processes
• Making change stick by aligning personal meaning with business goals
• Preparing teams for AI and automation through capability building

If you’re looking to hire manufacturing leaders who can drive this level of change, Theo James Recruitment can help!

 👉 Explore our recruitment services at theojamesrecruitment.co.uk

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Maddison, UK Membership Director at Make UK Defence, to dive into the opportunities opening up for SMEs in the defence sector.

We cover everything from MOD spend targets to how SMEs can become "fit for defence" and start winning real work in the industry.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

The push for 25% of MOD spend to go directly to SMEs

Upcoming hard targets for primes to work with smaller suppliers

How Make UK Defence is supporting SMEs with guidance, readiness, and access to opportunities

What SMEs need to know to break into the defence supply chain

If you're in UK manufacturing, defence, or just want to understand how to secure government contracts—this one's for you.

📅 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to catch all future episodes.
📣 New episodes every Thursday!

#UKDefence #SMEs #MakeUKDefence #KellyMaddison #DefenceContracts #UKManufacturing #TheoJamesRecruitment #DefenceIndustry #HowYouWin #MODContracts #SMEsInDefence

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

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In this episode, David Yodaiken shares the lessons learned on his path from working at the ground level in his father's electronics company to becoming CEO of Cyclops Electronics. David talks about the value of gaining outside experience before joining the family business, how trust and over-communication have shaped his leadership, and the importance of breaking unhelpful habits to improve organisational culture. He also explores how Cyclops is focusing on delivering more value to existing customers while expanding into new markets.

Key takeaways:

▪️Experience outside the family business shaped David’s leadership and perspective.

▪️Trust and clear communication are essential to building strong teams.

▪️Breaking poor habits is crucial for improving internal culture and processes.

▪️Cyclops Electronics is focused on adding value and exploring new growth opportunities.

Connect with us on Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/company/10126589/admin/page-posts/published/

Like, Share and leave a Review - this really means the world to us!

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 
Please call us on 0191 5111 298

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298

Send us a text

In this episode, Matthew Stephenson, Managing Director of Sweet Dreams, shares his inspiring 18-year journey — from launching a quirky confectionery brand to selling it successfully to Sugar Rich. He opens up about the highs, lows, and key leadership lessons along the way.

🔹 Leadership means making tough decisions that impact people you care about
 🔹 Building a “mental box” helped him compartmentalise challenges and stay focused
 🔹 ChocNibbles evolved into a standout brand with a bold, disruptive personality
 🔹 Managing the sale himself brought authenticity — but also real pressure
 🔹 A small, trusted team of honest advisors was vital to the deal’s success

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe to help the show grow.
 💬 Passionate about finding your dream role or building a brilliant team? Let’s connect.

Please subscribe to the channel for more content! Theo James are a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. Please call us on 0191 5111 298