Manufacturing Resilience Forum

Please note: This event is exclusively for manufacturers. If you purchase a ticket and are not a manufacturer, you may receive a refund as spaces are limited.

Join us on 24th March 2026 at Nexus Leeds for an industry-led day of inspiring conversation.

Manufacturing contributes £217 billion to the UK economy and supports 2.6 million jobs, with the sector climbing to 11th in global manufacturing rankings. Yet high business volatility, economic uncertainty, and emerging technologies present significant challenges for today's manufacturers. Resilience means being prepared to adapt, diversifying supply chains, and creating workplaces where talent thrives.

The Manufacturing Resilience Forum unites leading manufacturers for a day of trailblazing insights from industry titans, inspiring success stories, and energising discussions. This event is meticulously curated for manufacturers, creating a space to voice your opinions, share cutting-edge insights, and forge valuable partnerships.

Agenda:

09:30 - 10:00: Arrival and Networking

10:00 - 10:10: Keynote Speech from Mandy Ridyard - ASG Aerospace, Mayor of West Yorkshire Business Advisor, Chair of West Yorkshire Business Board & Chair Space Hub Yorkshire

10:10 - 10:50: Panel - Resilient Supply Chains
Speakers: Annette Hobson (Make UK) Paula Gill (North West Aerospace Alliance), Peter Gibson (Airbus), Bev Foster (RTC North)

10:50 – 11:30: Panel: Resilient Sales Pipelines
Speakers: Georgia Halston (Halston Group) Nathan Swinson Bullough (Imageco)

11:30 – 11:45: Break

11:45 – 12:25: Panel - Adoption of AI
Speakers: Mark Lewis (West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services) John Cook (Group Atlantic)

11:45 – 12:25: Workshop - Planning for Exit
Speakers: Mandy Ridyard (ASG Group), Alan Henderson (formally Allied Glass/Verallia UK) Judson Smythe (MSG Plastics), Jessica Fielden (Schofield Sweeney)

12:25 – 13:15: Lunch & Networking

13:15 – 13:55: Panel - Resilient Factories of the Future
Speakers: Luke Appleby (Equilibrium Risk), Paul Roberts (Universal Robots) Nick Edwards (Made Smarter)

13:15 – 13:55: Workshop - The Future of Food and Drink
Speakers: Nik Watson (University of Leeds) Razan Alsous (Yorkshire Dama Cheese), Holly Kragiopoulos (North Star Coffee)

13:55 – 14:35: Panel - Resilient Sustainability
Speakers: Michaela Lindridge (Severfield), Matthew Lambert (AW Hainsworth) Helen McDonald (Solupack)

13:55 – 14:35: Workshop - Textiles for Tomorrow
Speakers: Shahban Aziz (Textile Centre of Excellence), Fara Butt (Shire Beds), Angela Augusto (AW Hainsworth) Matthew Tipper (Niri Group)

14:35 – 15:05: Panel - Resilient Talent Pipelines
Speakers: Ailsa Anderson (Engineering & Manufacturing Network), Isabel Shanahan (Imageco), Mark Lewis (West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services) Leanne Hume (Ford Aerospace)

15:05 – 15:25: Closing Quiz

15:25 – 16:00: Close & Networking

For sponsorship and speaking opportunities, email info@halston.marketing

Already got your ticket? Book a 1–2–1 session with Jessica Farrow

Jessica Farrow, Head of Content & PR at Halston B2B, will be offering exclusive 1–2–1 sessions at the Manufacturing Resilience Forum.

With over seven years’ experience delivering measurable results for leading manufacturing brands, she specialises in building bespoke lead generation strategies tailored to complex, technical sectors.

These sessions are your opportunity to get practical, actionable advice on generating high-quality leads in the manufacturing space — specific to your business and your challenges.

Spaces are limited, so secure your ticket and book your 1–2–1 slot here: calendly.com/eveprocterhm1/marketing-consultation-with-jessica-farrow