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In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast, Mark is joined by Krystina Snowden, HR Manager at Blachford, for an honest and insightful conversation about what modern leadership really looks like - and why people-first cultures matter more than ever.

Together they explore how leadership has evolved from command-and-control management to creating safe, supportive environments where people are encouraged to grow, learn from mistakes, and ultimately thrive.

Krystina shares her journey into HR, the realities of managing people in manufacturing environments, and why the best leaders aren’t afraid of developing people who may one day take their place.

The conversation dives into key workplace challenges including:

• The importance of strong onboarding and early support
• Why training managers in people skills is just as vital as technical ability
• How businesses can create more open cultures around mental health
• The role HR plays in empowering managers rather than just enforcing policy
• Why trust, communication, and giving people a genuine voice drives retention and engagement

From mental health awareness to employee forums, from difficult conversations to building trust at every level of a business, this episode is packed with practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone responsible for building stronger teams.

A thoughtful, real-world discussion on how leadership done well doesn’t just improve performance - it changes lives.

Tune in to learn how robust HR practices and leadership approaches can transform workplace culture.

Click here to connect with Krystina 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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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.

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Big news for our community: we’re taking the energy from 100+ conversations and turning it into the Manufacturing Leaders Summit, a purpose-driven day dedicated to real progress in UK manufacturing. On 30 April 2026, we’re gathering at New College Durham to bring together operators, founders, engineers, HR leaders and educators who want solutions that work in the real world.

We’re building a programme that blends high-signal talks and hands-on workshops led by speakers with TEDx experience and past guests you’ve loved.

This summit is not-for-profit. Every £15 ticket will support Red Sky Foundation, funding heart care and equipment in communities that need it most—a cause that’s deeply personal to us.

We’re aiming for around 200 attendees to keep conversations meaningful and momentum high. If you’ve been part of our journey—listening, sharing, or joining us on the mic—this is your invitation to step into the room and shape what happens next. Grab a ticket, bring a colleague, and tell us the questions you want on the panels. Subscribe, share this with your team, and leave a review to help more leaders find the show. We can’t wait to see you there.

Follow us on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theo-james-recruitment/?viewAsMember=true

Get your hands on the tickets first by emailing hello@theojamesrecruitment.com

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 share how the 4-day working week went from idea to reality across multiple manufacturing sites. You’ll hear how we trialled the shift with people-first thinking, data-driven decisions, and flexibility at the heart of the process.

We cover union conversations, contract changes, phased rollouts, and how we managed customer expectations and key performance indicators. Learn how we tackled fairness across roles and shifts, used overtime wisely, and what we would do differently if starting again.

If you want to understand how a 4-day week can work in complex operational environments, this episode is for you.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to design trials while keeping flexibility central
• Which KPIs matter most for success
• Balancing customer needs with shift fairness
• Lessons learned and what we would change

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 a text

In this episode, Paul Stockhill, Managing Director of Agemaspark, shares insights from his 55-year career in UK manufacturing. A passionate advocate for apprenticeships, Paul believes developing young talent is the key to solving the sector’s skills crisis and he has proven it.

Every member of Agemaspark’s senior team started as an apprentice, including those who joined him in a successful management buyout. From 3D metal printing for space stations and Mars rovers to hands-on work placements for the next generation, Paul’s story shows how innovation and people development can drive long-term business success.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why apprenticeships are central to Agemaspark’s success
• How the AMRC Training Centre’s intensive program prepares apprentices for real-world challenges
• The role of communication skills in modern manufacturing
• Why University Technical Colleges are important for closing the skills gap
• How Agemaspark’s first female engineering apprentice is shaping the future
• The importance of leaving a legacy beyond one career

With tens of thousands of engineers expected to leave the industry by 2030, Paul’s mission is clear: build businesses that last by investing in people who will carry them forward.

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 a text

From administrative temp to Head of People at Expanded Metal, Jo Lloyd shares her 12-year journey of transforming leadership in manufacturing. She explains how the industry has shifted from command-and-control management to a people-first approach.

In this episode you will learn:

• Leadership is about guiding with collaboration, not ego
• Emotional intelligence drives better decisions and stronger teams
• How Expanded Metal moved from hierarchy to collaboration
• The importance of diversity and cross-training in modern manufacturing
• Why leaders should be accessible and help others succeed

Listen for a conversation that challenges traditional leadership and champions inclusivity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

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.