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The Manufacturers' Alliance

Peer Groups & Business Growth Support for Ambitious UK Manufacturing Leaders

24/06/2026

Our Aspiring Directors had a fantastic meeting last week hosted at Arden Dies Ltd and expertly facilitated by Catherine Smith.

Mark Booker delivered a session focussed on chairing meetings effectively and how leaders progressing through the business can create the conditions for others to think, contribute, challenge and make decisions together.

Some of the key takeaways included:
💡 Well-chaired meetings create clarity of purpose and ensure everyone understands the objective.
💡 Better quality discussions emerge when all voices are heard and different perspectives are encouraged.
💡 Constructive challenge helps teams test assumptions, explore alternatives and make stronger decisions.
💡 Effective chairs bring conversations to a conclusion, creating clear decisions and accountability for delivery.

Are you a functional leader looking for support stepping into senior leadership and would like to connect with like-minded peers that are on a similar journey to you? Register to join us for a free taster session at one of our next meetings.

https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/aspiring-director-peer-group

23/06/2026

Why Does Young Talent Leave and How Can We Retain Them?

They start strong. Apprentices who complete their training. Young people arriving with energy, ideas and ambition.

They develop, they contribute, they start to add value. And then, just as they feel embedded in the business, they leave.

For many leaders, it can feel like a repeating pattern. You invest time, training and opportunity, only to see people move on just as they become fully effective.

In this article, we explore why this pattern is becoming more common and what makes the difference when it comes to retaining young talent beyond their early development.

https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/why-does-young-talent-leave-and-how-can-we-retain-them/

22/06/2026

How as a leader, do you approach a difficult conversation when you know the outcome may have a significant impact on someone else?

Whether it's addressing performance concerns, discussing a role at risk or tackling behaviours that can no longer continue, difficult conversations are a part of leadership. Yet they're often the conversations leaders spend the most time avoiding.

In this article, we explore the CARE approach, a practical framework to help leaders navigate difficult conversations with confidence, clarity and empathy.

https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/how-do-i-approach-a-difficult-conversation-with-an-employee-in-challenging-circumstances/

19/06/2026

Are you an ambitious leader looking to build high-performing teams?

Join us at our upcoming High Performing Teams Event, hosted by Carrs Pasties Ltd on 7th July, where we'll be exploring how leaders can unlock their team's full potential and create a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.

Why attend?
💡 Gain exclusive access to our new High Performing Teams Assessment to uncover your team's strengths and identify opportunities for improvement.

💡 Hear from our Founder & MD, Gary Sheader, on how leaders can identify what's holding their teams back and unlock higher levels of performance.

💡 Hear directly from Joseph Carr, Managing Director of Carrs Pasties Ltd Pasties, on how they've built a brilliant culture and high-performing teams that continuously strive for improvement.

💡 Leave with new ideas and actions you can implement immediately to improve your teams performance to deliver your ambitions for the business.

If you feel like too much of the business still depends on you and you're looking to build a team that takes ownership, drives accountability and delivers results, register your interest in attending here: https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/high-performing-teams-event

18/06/2026

A brilliant day at our Modern Leadership Best Practice Event hosted by Managing Director Iain Cropper and his team at Endress+Hauser Group!

It was fantastic to hear from Endress+Hauser on how they have:

💡 Implemented AI and automation across the business, empowering their people to drive efficiencies, focus on more meaningful work and deliver tangible results.
💡 Built high performing teams and created an inclusive culture so everyone can thrive.
💡 Developed and positioned the brand as a market leader and driven profitable growth through innovation and agility in a competitive market.

A huge thank you to Iain and his team for sharing some fantastic insights, ideas and strategies!

Are you a senior leader that would like to connect with like-minded ambitious peers, see best practice from other business and gain new ideas to develop yourself, your team and your business?

Join us at our next event on High Performing Teams on 7th July hosted by Joe Carr, Managing Director of Carrs Pasties. Register your interest in attending here: https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/high-performing-teams-event

12/06/2026

Are you a senior leader looking to successfully leverage AI and automation across your business?

Join us at our upcoming Modern Leadership Best Practice Event next week on 17th June at Endress+Hauser Group. Managing Director Iain Cropper and his team will be sharing how they’ve embedded AI and automation across the business keeping people at the centre.

At the event they’ll be exploring how they have achieved this through:

💡 Microsoft Copilot & Power Automate to remove repetitive tasks and simplify everyday workflows.
💡 AI-powered document processing using Rossum to improve speed and accuracy in core processes.
💡 SAP Ariba & Fast Lane to support smarter, more streamlined procurement activity.
💡 Finance team digitalisation to drive more connected and consistent ways of working.

If you are an ambitious leader that would to learn directly from Iain and see best practice from a business that has successfully implemented AI and automation to deliver tangible business results, register your interest in attending here: https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/modern-leadership-event-endresshauser

11/06/2026

Less than a week to go until our upcoming Modern Leadership Best Practice Event hosted by Iain Cropper, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser!

At the event Iain and his team will be sharing how they have implemented and embedded AI and automation across the business, built high performing teams and positioned themselves in the market to drive profitable growth.

Join us on 17th June to connect with a community of like-minded ambitious leaders who come together to share best practice, exchange ideas and insights to develop themselves, their teams and their businesses.

Register your interest in attending here: https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/modern-leadership-event-endresshauser

10/06/2026

Are you an aspiring director looking to strengthen your ability to lead impactful discussions and drive effective decision-making?

Join us at our upcoming Aspiring Directors Peer Group meeting next week on 16th June, hosted at Arden Dies Ltd and facilitated by Catherine Smith.

At the meeting, Mark Booker will be leading a workshop exploring the impact effective chairing can have on the quality of discussions, decisions and outcomes.

During the workshop, we'll explore:
💡 The real situations and challenges chairs face in meetings.
💡 What effective chairs consistently do before, during and after a meeting.
💡 How to create the conditions for constructive discussion and confident decision-making.

If you are a functional leader looking for support stepping into senior leadership and to connect with like-minded peers that are on a similar journey to you register to join us for a free taster session.

https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/events/aspiring-directors-peer-group-meeting-arden-dies/

09/06/2026

What are the five key elements of a high-performing team?

Every leader wants a team that delivers results, collaborates effectively, and performs consistently under pressure. Yet, most teams never reach their full potential.

In this article, we explore what each of these five elements are and how leaders can create the conditions for teams to move from good to exceptional.

https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-five-key-elements-of-a-high-performing-team/

08/06/2026

There’s just over a week to go until our upcoming Modern Leadership Best Practice Event on 17th June, hosted by Iain Cropper, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Group+Hauser!

Iain and his team will be sharing how they have led transformational change across the business from embedding AI and automation, to building high-performing teams and driving significant profitable growth.

Why Attend?
💡 Learn best practice from another business and see what others are doing.
💡 Connect with like-minded peers that share similar challenges and ambitions.
💡 Leave with fresh ideas and insights to take back and implement in your business.

Are you a senior leader with ambitious plans for your business, looking to gain insight into how others have successfully led transformational change? Register your interest in attending:
https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/modern-leadership-event-endresshauser

Address

Bolton
BL18EY

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441204410062

Website

http://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/

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