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 ‘Turning any situation into a positive ‘

Wow, what an episode this is. It was a real privilege to have Russell Richardson on the Manufacturing Leaders podcast.

 A true leader in every sense of the word, who worked his way up from an Apprentice Welder to Head of Operations at Caterpillar, before working at Komatsu helping them through an MBO to SE-TEK

Russell is another reason why the North East is such a powerhouse in UK Manufacturing.

I was blown away by his outlook on life and it’s something we can all learn from.

We discuss…

-       Intro

-       What does it mean to be a leader? 

-       The early years growing up in the North East to Apprentice Fabricator 

-       Early working conditions and environment 

-       Managing a team when very young without experience

-       Taking the opportunities that seem scary or risky

-       The influence his dad had on his mindset and career 

-       Managers who have influenced him

-       Investing in people to improve manufacturing

-       The importance of listening and giving people a voice 

-       Leaving Caterpillar after 30 years and transitioning 

-       Working in a Management Buy Out 

-       Taking the positives out of any situation 

-       Managing time and mindset when out of work

-       Quickfire question

-       Guest question from Don Murray

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

‘The importance of having high standards in management’

I am over the moon to bring you this episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, with Patrick Cowan of Birtley Group.

It was a privilege to hear Patrick’s story of how he was thrust into the management world at such a young age.

You will take away real tips and strategies in this episode in exactly how to build efficient teams and manage staff.

I learnt so much from Patrick from this episode and there is so much value here.

This is exactly why I started up this podcast in the first place!

We Discuss:-

-       Introductions

-       What does it mean to you to be a leader? 

-       The early years – The education route into industry

-       Managing a large experienced team at 24 years old 

-       Standards – ‘Don’t turn a blind eye to things that aren’t acceptable’

-       Management styles – Has it changed over the years?

-       Early inspirations – Son of a miner!

-       Management inspirations 

-       Key Steps for the first 12 weeks in a role 

-       Using your notice period effectively (20

-       Can you change a culture?

-       The most challenging aspect of management

-       Managing your own mindset

-       How manufacturing has changed over the years

-       Is the UK Behind the rest of the world in Manufacturing?

-       Succession planning in manufacturing

-       Quickfire questions

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

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I am delighted to bring this amazing episode to you. Shirley is the Production Manager of AKZO Nobel and one of the key reasons the Ashington site built up the reputation they have, alongside some influential colleagues she mentions as a crucial part of the journey so far

In this episode we initially talk about what led Shirley into the role she is in now, before digging deep into the AKZO Nobel world 

You will learn about the importance of a documented process, culture, training, interviewing , hiring and so much more 

This is genuinely an episode where you will not only be inspired. But, take away key bits of information and tips to implement straight away

·      What does it mean to you, to be a leader?

·      The early years / Jobs / growing up / community

·      Being a woman in Manufacturing – Breaking the stigma around it 

·      Alcan – Culture an utilising lean

·      Akzo Nobel – building a site from scratch

·      Documenting processes and procedures to train and scale 

·      Northumberland a hidden gem and manufacturing hub

·      Working with and not against our competitors to create talent and build

·      The importance of continuous improvement 

·      Measuring and hiring people against cultural principles

·      The recruitment and hiring process

·      Putting staff retention and progression first -pathways process

·      Ongoing improvement and feedback – ‘The Pitman Painters’

·      Working with schools and young adults with SEND

·      Previous Guest question 

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

 If you only listen to one of our manufacturing leader podcasts, then let it be this one.

Don Murray, is the MD of spincraft in Newcastle.

He has had an unbelievable career, holding extremely senior roles such as the President of Board of Directors, for a rolls Royce marine division

In this episode you will understand what it takes to transfer your skill set from a global company to a SME, and how to create an Environment where people succeed, and more important actually want to succeed

We Discuss:-

• What does being a leader mean to you?
• Creating an environment where people succeed 
• Lessons from good managers
• Learning from other countries and cultures
• Going from a huge global company, to an SME
• The need to be passionate about what you do and what you produce 
• The first steps into a new role as an MD
• How manufacturing has changed over the years
• Challenges of Manufacturing
• GUEST Q - Going back in time – what would you go back to / would you change?

You will learn so much from this time with Don. Thanks again for coming on the show

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

Eddie was born in the UK shortly after his parents had arrived here as immigrants


In his words, they “started with nothing”


How does someone go from stacking shelves in Morrisons to running a successful manufacturing company for almost 25 years which continues to Grow.


In the episode we chat to Eddie about what it takes to build a business, the differences in manufacturing now vs all those years ago 


Along with how important it is to take those sink or swim opportunities to achieve your goals 


I loved eddies passion for what he does and I’m sure you will too





• What does being a leader mean to you?
• The journey -  Stacking shelves to owning a business 
• Running a business now vs 25 years ago
• How different is manufacturing today that it was 20 years ago?
• Navigating the pandemic
• Taking calculated risks – the entrepreneurial way 
• Growth and acquisition 
• Why is Manufacturing in the UK great 
• Biggest challenge to Manufacturing in the UK
• 3 things that make up a leader
• Academic route or o the job earning?
• Previous Guest question

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

Alex Stapleton is the sales director at Alexander technologies, a custom battery pack manufacturer in County Durham.

With over 16 years experience in battery manufacturing alone, Alex knows more than any about the product he sells!

This is a great episode for those interested in sales or manufacturing in general 

We chat about working abroad, managing sales staff with targets, and the process you  need to go through to be successful in this industry.


What we discuss

-Intros
-What makes a good leader?
-The early years – embracing change 
-University – Is it needed?
-Account Management or New Business?
-Working abroad – Different cultures and mindset
-Alexander Technology – Covid and the journey
-Sales – What can you control? /Managing Sales people 
-Only expect of others, what you do of yourself
-What to do when you ever doubt yourself 
-How do we improve Manufacturing & Engineering 

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

Katie Woodward is the Head of Operations at Corrboard, an independent producer of corrugated board based in Scunthorpe.

Katie has worked her way up within the industry. Initially starting in the chemistry field as part of her degree, only to progress later within quality and ultimately operations.

We discuss the importance  of resilience, how all problems are black and white, and how her battle with cancer has made her the person she is today

This is a really powerful and informative episode and I am sure you will take so much away. 

What we discussed

-       Intro’s

-       What does it mean to be a leader

-       The early days – Childhood and influences

-       Cancer recovery and how that changed her mentality 

-       Being a reflective manager and different leadership styles

-        Answering a question with a question!

-       The journey to Operations 

-       Every decision is black and white! Nothing is grey! 

-       Dale Carnegie – The power in his book

-       Being a woman in manufacturing 

-       Getting awareness to manufacturing 

-       Building resilience for the industry

-       What drives you now?

-       Quick fire questions 

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

Emma Bohan is the General Manager of IMS Heat Pumps. 

Emma is driven, passionate and has an infectious personality that you can’t ignore.

We talk in detail about what it’s like to manage a team, build a business and exactly what it takes to be successful in the industry.

We discuss

What does a leader mean to you?
What makes a good leader?
The early years & the journey so far
The importance of those first ever jobs 
Are we born with drive?
Pressure of managing / owning a business
Importance of training and quals
Mental Health – managing the stress and creating the right environment 
How close should you get to your staff?
Best ever managers 
Being a woman in a male dominated environment 
Quick fire questions
How do we improve renewables sector

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 / 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

In this week’s episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast we are bringing something a little bit different!

Andi Jarvis is a marketing expert who works closely with businesses in this sector. In this episode we talk in detail about how you can improve your marketing strategy to maximise revenue.

👉Why marketing is so important in manufacturing?
  👉Using creativity in the boardroom
  👉Marketing through a recession
  👉Using consumer marketing into B2B

📍Who is Andi Jarvis?

📍The early Years

📍Marketing in manufacturing 

📍Sales and marketing working together 

📍The important of social media 

📍What moved the needle and brings in revenue? 

📍How do we measure ROI?

📍Marketing B2b vs B2C in manufacturing 

📍How important is your website?

📍Branding is crucial!

📍How important is the budget 

📍First steps to marketing - What to do. 

📍focus on what sells , not on what’s not 

📍Creativity in business

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298. 

Send us Fan Mail

Gary Giles, the Founder of OGEL got investment on the day from the North Easts own manufacturing queen Sara Davies, who also teamed up with Tej Lalvani

Ogel are one of the UKs most premium and innovative garden room manufacturers 

This is a great podcast for Manufacturing enthusiastis, SME Owners and Dragons Den lovers!

We discuss

• -What does being a leader mean to you?
• -The Early Years – Construction sites
• -The vision for OGEL – Where it all started
• -Dragons Den – How it came about / The Process (Always Check your SPAM!)
• -Life after the den
• -Utilising opportunities in the pandemic (work from home pods)
• -Crowdfunding and business plans
• -Managing the business and the pressure that comes with it
• -The North East community and funding 
• -3 Things that make up a good leader
• -Advise to your younger self
• -Next few years for OGEL

Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward.

Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK. 

If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime.

You can call us on 0191 511 1298.