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In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast, we sit down with Gary Sheader, the driving force behind the Manufacturers Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead in today’s manufacturing world.

We dig into why employee engagement matters more than ever, how it directly impacts productivity, and what leaders can do to create environments where people genuinely want to do their best work.

Gary highlights key leadership trends in manufacturing, especially the growing importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

Gary also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the Manufacturers Alliance develops leaders through immersive retreats that blend personal reflection with practical, real-world outcomes.

His message is clear: leadership isn’t static - it’s an ongoing journey that blends self-development with strategic thinking.

One of the biggest takeaways is that real change starts with authenticity, humility, and a willingness to admit there’s always room to grow.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Purpose-driven leadership - why doing work that aligns with your values makes you a better leader
• Emotional intelligence - how understanding yourself and others is critical in today’s complex manufacturing environment
• Fresh approaches to leadership development - including retreats and reflective practices that push leaders out of their comfort zones
• Employee engagement and productivity - and why one rarely exists without the other
• Starting your leadership journey - how honesty and self-awareness lay the foundation for meaningful change

Tune in for a thoughtful, practical conversation at the intersection of leadership, personal growth, and strategic influence in manufacturing - and keep listening for more insightful episodes from the Manufacturing Leaders podcast!

You can connect with Gary here on LinkedIn.

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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This week on the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast we welcome Stephen Mitchell, the CEO of SQCDP, a company dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency in manufacturing environments through innovative software solutions.

With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, Stephen has a rich professional history that includes significant leadership roles in well-known corporations, such as Nestlé and Coca-Cola.

Throughout his career, he has focused on operational excellence, maintenance management, and implementing lean manufacturing practices. Stephen's unique journey from the factory floor to leading a technology business exemplifies his commitment to driving positive change in the industry while empowering workers and improving manufacturing processes.

What you’ll gain from this episode:

In this episode, Stephen shares insights from his transformative journey in the manufacturing sector and how he founded SQCDP to address critical challenges in industrial data management.

The conversation delves into the impact of effective leadership, the importance of accountability, and how data-driven decision-making can revolutionise operational protocols in factories.

Stephen discusses his career trajectory, illustrating the frustrations he faced with traditional manufacturing practices and how these experiences fueled his passion to create a software solution that connects frontline workers to essential data.

Stephen emphasises the significance of data as a critical resource for enhancing performance and enabling informed decision-making in manufacturing. He articulates how SQCDP's software minimises reliance on outdated paper systems, enhances visibility in operations, and drives continuous improvement.

The importance of authenticity and leadership in fostering a collaborative workplace culture is highlighted as Stephen shares how empowering teams leads to greater accountability and improved factory performance.

Dive into this enlightening episode to discover how Stephen is paving the way for a data-driven revolution in manufacturing.

Connect with Stephen here:

• SQCDP Website
• Stephen Mitchell LinkedIn

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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In this episode, we explore practical leadership that prioritises speed of decision-making, honest risk, and shared accountability - while empowering true experts to lead within their domain.

Graham dives into how dual career tracks, early STEM exposure, and well-defined business processes shape stronger teams and deliver better outcomes. We also discuss the importance of development over ego, diversity in STEM, and why manufacturing still faces a marketing gap despite the North East’s significant strengths.

Key talking points:
• Defining leadership through accountability, rational risk, and swift decisions
• Lessons from structured development at Rolls-Royce
• Creating parity between technical expert and management career tracks
• Building teams around strengths and hiring for gaps

Graham also shares insights on flipping the organisational chart to promote empowerment, running voice-rich meetings that create collective accountability, and the five fundamental business processes every company should understand.

We dig into how legacy processes should be challenged with better “why” and “how” questions, and we finish by exploring Quanta EPC’s focus on waste-to-energy, process, and renewable projects.

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

If you’d like more information about Theo James, as mentioned during the episode, feel free to get in touch with me or the team anytime.

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.