The 17th annual Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit will take place on 11-12 November 2025 at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, bringing together 250 of the UK’s most senior manufacturing leaders to debate the forces shaping the future of industry.
Now one of the UK’s most influential gatherings for industrial decision-makers, the Summit – part of The Manufacturer Live series – provides a powerful forum for leaders to share ideas, challenge assumptions and forge strategies for growth in uncertain times.
Guided by the theme “Smarter Tech. Sharper Strategy. Stronger Leadership,” the 2025 edition will focus on how manufacturers can harness technology, drive transformation, and lead through disruption.
Why attend:
From spiralling costs and fragile supply chains to the race to digitalise and the urgent drive to decarbonise, UK manufacturers face unprecedented challenges. The Summit addresses these head-on, with debate centred on:
- Operational strategy & execution excellence – delivering growth through sharper leadership
- Digital transformation & AI at scale – cutting through the noise to implement technologies that deliver
- Supply chain agility & resilience – building strength in uncertain markets
- Sustainability & net zero strategies – practical steps to future-proof operations
- Cyber resilience – protecting assets in an increasingly connected world
- People, skills & leadership – developing resilient, future-ready teams
A defining feature of the programme is the interactive roundtable discussions, where senior executives step away from formal presentations to engage in candid, peer-to-peer conversations. These sessions allow delegates to stress-test ideas, share real-world experiences, and uncover practical solutions to the challenges they face right now.
Voices shaping the future:
Confirmed speakers for the 2025 Summit include:
- Nigel Paine, Vice President of Production, Carlsberg Britvic
“We were traditionally a company that worked to really tight schedules with low working capital – a just in time solution. Our operating models have really changed and we’re doing longer production runs, working much further upstream with suppliers, to increase buffers and build resilience.”
- Ioana Hera, Head of Lean, Rolls-Royce
- Brian Stone, Plant Director, Jaguar Land Rover
- Hannah Green, Director of Engineering Capability, Babcock International
- Dan Middleton, Head of Innovation, Edwards – Atlas Copco
“Technology can be easy; changing people, the way they work and the culture of an organisation is much harder. If you can articulate ‘what’s in it for them’ the you’re far more likely to get them onboard.”
- Julie Richards, Operational Excellence Lead, Greencore
- Sofia Karlen, Smart Factory Product Management Lead, Mars
“Successful technology adoption at scale requires strong foundations, from robust infrastructure and clear strategy to avoiding common missteps when moving beyond pilot projects. Equally important are people and culture, leadership commitment, employee engagement, and a supportive environment often determine whether a pilot evolves into sustainable, large-scale success.”
- Sergey Konstantinov, Automation Project Manager, Samworth Brothers
- Joe Dunn, Plant Director, Valliant Group
- Alan White, Head of Manufacturing, Proper Snacks
- Petra Velzeboer, Mental Health Leader
These leaders, alongside experts across defence, aerospace, automotive, FMCG, pharma, electronics and beyond, will challenge thinking and inspire action.
What’s new in 2025:
Building on its recognition as a top three finalist at the UK Conference of the Year Awards, the 2025 programme will deliver richer content and deeper engagement than ever before.
New features include:
- Real-world case studies from pioneering manufacturers
- Live polling and collaborative sessions for greater interactivity
- Extended networking opportunities to strengthen industry connections
The venue: A symbol of heritage and progress
Returning to the Titanic Hotel Liverpool—a striking space that blends industrial heritage with modern design—the venue provides a fitting backdrop for conversations on manufacturing’s future.
A prestigious finale: The Manufacturer MX Awards
On the evening of 12 November, the Summit culminates in The Manufacturer MX Awards 2025 – widely regarded as the Oscars of manufacturing.
Recognising excellence across innovation, sustainability, leadership and staff engagement, the awards celebrate the resilience, creativity and leadership that continue to define UK manufacturing.
Hear from some of our past delegates
“This event is always a great place to connect with other UK Manufacturing operations professionals and I learn a lot from all the other industry sectors represented. We all have similar challenges but our constraints and environments are all different. There is a lot that I take back to challenge and improve our current planning.” – Simon Martin, Head of Global Manufacturing – Yunex Traffic.
“I’m thrilled to be at the heart of innovation and collaboration here at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool, alongside industry giants like RR, JLR and Safran. This summit is a melting pot of ideas on digital transformation and smart manufacturing.” – Aaron Keher, Senior Enterprise Account Director – Aerospace | Defence | Automotive – Ubisense.
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