CKMA strengthens links between manufacturers and future talent
One of CKMA’s core priorities is to help manufacturers connect with the people, skills and ideas they need for the future. Through our Make It In Manufacturing work, we are continuing to build stronger links between local employers, schools, colleges, universities and young people who are interested in manufacturing, engineering and technical careers. Manufacturing across Calderdale and Kirklees offers exciting, varied and rewarding opportunities. However, many young people are still not fully aware of the range of roles available, the progression routes into industry, or the innovative work taking place inside local manufacturing businesses. At the same time, manufacturers regularly tell us that finding and developing future talent is one of their biggest challenges. CKMA’s role is to help bridge that gap. Connecting employers with young people Make It In Manufacturing is about making those connections practical and visible. Rather than simply talking about skills shortages, we want to create opportunities for employers and young people to meet, talk and understand each other better. That means helping businesses: showcase what modern manufacturing really looks like meet young people who are already interested in technical careers build relationships with local education providers identify future apprentices, graduates and employees contribute to a stronger local skills pipeline It also means helping young people see that manufacturing is not a narrow career path. It includes engineering, digital technology, design, production, maintenance, automation, management, sustainability, logistics and much more. Upcoming talent events CKMA is currently supporting two opportunities that demonstrate this approach in action. Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event at Kirklees College The Make It In Manufacturing – Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event will take place at Kirklees College on Tuesday 19 May 2026. This focused event is designed to connect local manufacturing and engineering employers with promising apprenticeship applicants ahead of the next intake. Employers will have their own table, while students rotate through short scheduled meetings. Each conversation gives businesses the opportunity to introduce themselves, explain the apprenticeships they may offer, and identify young people who could be a good fit. It is a practical, direct way for employers to meet potential future apprentices and for students to learn more about local manufacturing opportunities. University of Huddersfield Student Showcase CKMA is also encouraging members to engage with the School of Computing and Engineering Futures 2026 Student Showcase at the University of Huddersfield on Friday 19 June 2026. This event gives employers the chance to meet final-year students as they present their work. It has been described as a “reverse career fair”, with students showcasing their projects directly to employers and guests. For manufacturers, it is an opportunity to meet higher-level technical talent, see the skills being developed locally, and raise their profile with future graduates. Talent at every level The two events highlight an important point: manufacturing needs talent at every level. Some young people will come into the sector through apprenticeships and college routes. Others will enter with higher-level technical, computing, engineering or project skills from university. Both routes matter. A young person starting an apprenticeship may already have strong practical and technical potential, even if they are still developing workplace confidence, commercial awareness or management skills. A graduate may bring specialist knowledge and project experience, while still needing exposure to the realities of manufacturing environments. The strength of the local skills system depends on employers, educators and young people working more closely together. CKMA wants to help make that happen. Building a stronger manufacturing network These events are also examples of the value CKMA brings as a local manufacturing network. By working with partners such as Kirklees College, the University of Huddersfield and regional stakeholders, CKMA can help members access opportunities that would be harder to identify or influence individually. Membership gives manufacturers access to events, newsletters, future invitations, information on business support and a network of like-minded businesses committed to strengthening local industry. For potential members, this is exactly the sort of work CKMA is here to support: practical connections, useful intelligence and a stronger voice for manufacturing across Calderdale and Kirklees. Get involved We are keen to hear from manufacturers who want to play a more active role in inspiring and developing future talent. Whether you are looking for apprentices, graduates, future engineers, production staff, digital skills or simply want to help young people understand what modern manufacturing has to offer, CKMA can help you connect with the right opportunities. Join CKMA: https://ckma.co.uk/join-us/ Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-it-in-manufacturing-apprenticeship-speed-matching-event-tickets-1986877145026?aff=oddtdtcreator University of Huddersfield Student Showcase: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/school-of-computing-and-engineering-futures-2026-student-showcase-tickets-1983441764711
May 12, 2026
Distinction Consulting: The Power of the CKMA Network in Action
Overview One of the key strengths of the CKMA network is its ability to connect manufacturing businesses with like-minded organisations, industry specialists, and trusted sponsors who can help them move their businesses forward. This case study highlights how this is demonstrated in practice through recent work by one of our sponsors – Distinction Consulting – with Witt UK Group (a CKMA member) and Abbey Attachments, both family-owned manufacturing businesses benefiting from external strategic support. It reflects the real value of collaboration, shared insight, and specialist expertise within the network. About Distinction Consulting Distinction Consulting is a CKMA sponsor working with leadership teams to create clarity, alignment, and strategic direction within complex organisations. Their work focuses on helping businesses step back from internal assumptions and operational noise to understand how they are truly perceived in the market. Through structured customer insight, stakeholder engagement, and leadership workshops, they help organisations identify the gap between internal perspective and external reality and translate that into clearer strategic decision-making. Within the CKMA network, Distinction Consulting support members in strengthening positioning, improving alignment at leadership level, and building more confident, evidence-led growth strategies. The Context Both businesses are long-established, family-owned manufacturers operating within complex industrial and engineering sectors. Witt UK Group operates across multiple trading entities delivering ventilation and smoke control solutions in safety-critical environments. Abbey Attachments is a second-generation business in the material handling sector with strong technical capability and customer loyalty. Despite their strengths, both organisations were facing similar challenges: A lack of clear strategic direction Limited alignment across leadership teams A need to better understand how they were perceived in the market A desire to move from operational focus to future growth clarity The Approach Through their involvement in the CKMA network, both businesses were introduced to Distinction Consulting, a CKMA sponsor specialising in strategic insight and business positioning. Rather than jumping straight into solutions, their approach focused on understanding the reality of each business from both an internal and external perspective. This included: Structured conversations with customers, lapsed customers, and stakeholders Internal leadership discussions Analysis of how each business described itself versus how it was experienced in the market Key Insights Across both engagements, a consistent theme emerged: Businesses were largely describing themselves from the inside out, shaped by history, structure, and technical capability – rather than from the perspective of customer value. For Witt UK Group: The real value was not just in the systems they manufactured, but in the confidence, safety, and peace of mind those systems delivered in critical environments. For Abbey Attachments: The business needed greater alignment between internal perception and external reality, uncovering the need for clearer strategic direction grounded in customer insight. The Outcome While the challenges were different, the outcome for both organisations was similar: Greater strategic clarity A shared understanding of customer value Improved leadership alignment A stronger foundation for future decision-making Most importantly, both businesses gained a clearer view of what truly differentiates them in their respective markets. Why This Matters for CKMA Members This is a strong example of how the CKMA network creates value beyond events and introductions. By connecting members with trusted specialists and like-minded businesses, CKMA enables: Access to expertise that drives real business clarity Collaboration between manufacturers and industry professionals Opportunities to step back and rethink strategic direction For members, it’s a reminder that value often comes from the conversations and connections happening within the network itself. If you’d like to join as a member or discuss sponsorship opportunities, visit our ‘join us’ page.
May 5, 2026
Explore the CKMA Events Programme – Now on Eventbrite
CKMA events consistently receive great feedback for being practical, engaging, and refreshingly different from the usual networking fare. What sets them apart? Every event is designed specifically for manufacturers – with real-world insights, behind-the-scenes access, and open conversations at the heart of the programme. Whether it’s a factory tour, peer learning session, expert briefing or industry roundtable, attendees value the chance to connect with like-minded professionals and take away ideas they can actually use. It’s not just networking – it’s about learning, sharing, and moving the sector forward together. If you’re new to CKMA, attending an event is a great way to see what we’re all about. Many of our regular members first got involved by coming along to a session and finding real value in what we do. What can you expect to take away? Plenty. From practical ideas to improve your own operations, to new business connections that could lead to collaboration, customers, or supply chain partners. Many attendees also find it useful as a benchmarking opportunity – seeing how others work can spark improvements at home. And you’ll meet people who can point you toward funding, support programmes, and specialist advice when you need it. Visit the CKMA Events Page on Eventbrite Most of our events are free to attend and open to manufacturers of all sizes across Calderdale and Kirklees. They’re a great way to build connections, share experiences, and discover practical ideas to drive your business forward. Got an idea for a future event or want to host a visit? Get in touch – we’re always keen to hear from members and local partners. Contact us via our website to suggest an event, explore membership, or find out more about how we can support your business.
July 29, 2025
Lancereal gears up for growth with senior financial appointment
Following a management buyout and significant investment in growth and development at the end of 2024, Lancereal, a leading powertrain solutions provider and systems integrator has appointed a Financial Controller to accelerate its growth. Victoria Wetherill, who has a first-class degree in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Huddersfield, gained her ACCA qualification offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants whilst working in an accountancy practice. With more than nine years of experience, Victoria has held positions within industry and has managed a finance department – overseeing the full finance function across the business. It is this experience that she brings to the role at Lancereal where she will be bring in new policies to enable the company to thrive in new and existing markets. Her expertise and strategic outlook will benefit the company in this new role, as it navigates growth through financial processes, diligence in financial reporting and production efficiencies. Victoria Wetherill, Financial Controller at Lancereal commented: “Working in an owner managed business, where I can work hands-on with a small team is really exciting. I have been able to take ownership of financial leadership across the business and promote Lancereal’s values, whilst overseeing all aspects of the finance function – which will ultimately enable the company to thrive. I am enjoying the variation of the role and being part of the team. The team has been so welcoming, and I can see this as a place I will grow too.” Laura Hampson, Managing Director at Lancereal added: “We took our time in our approach to hiring a Financial Controller as it is a new role for the business and we wanted to ensure the post was filled by someone who can steer our growth with experience but also by embodying our values. Victoria is a perfect match for us. She’s fitted in so well with the team and her industry experience and wealth of knowledge across financial disciplines is a real boon for the business. As we round off our first year following last year’s MBO we have worked with Victoria to put new policies in place to support our growth plans and I’m excited by what she can bring to the team and what it will mean for the business.” The appointment demonstrates Lancereal’s commitment to sustainable growth in innovating industries through the supply of world class components and specialist services in engineering powertrain products and systems. For more information, please visit www.lancereal.com.
July 15, 2025
How to Get the Most from Your CKMA Membership
Being a member of CKMA – the Calderdale & Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance – means more than just joining a network. It’s about being part of a grassroots movement that brings manufacturers together to support one another, raise their collective voice, and strengthen the regional economy. But like any network, the more you put in, the more you get out. Here’s a quick guide to making your CKMA membership work harder for you: Keep Your Profile Up to Date Whether you’re a member or a sponsor, your business profile on the CKMA website is one of the easiest ways to be found by fellow members, collaborators, and local partners. Think of it as a free listing in a trusted regional supply chain directory – so keep it fresh with your latest capabilities, key contacts, and specialisms. Share Your News and Wins Won a new contract? Hiring? Got a new machine or launching a service? Let us know. We’re always keen to spotlight member successes through our blog, email updates, and LinkedIn presence. These posts get great engagement – not just from members but from local stakeholders and potential customers too – and our new strategic marketing partners Northern Media are helping us supercharge member news, so make the most of this opportunity. Join Us at Events CKMA runs regular breakfast briefings, factory tours, and networking sessions – low-pressure, high-value gatherings where you can meet fellow manufacturers, hear from local leaders, and explore shared challenges and opportunities. They’re not just social – they often lead to introductions, ideas, and new collaborations, just ask members who come. All of our events are published on our Eventbrite Page. Ask for an Intro Looking to connect with another manufacturer, supplier, or supporter in the region? CKMA can help. We’re happy to make warm introductions within the network – just reach out. Let’s Talk Strategy We regularly speak with members to understand what’s important to their business – and how CKMA can support them. Whether that’s talent, funding, visibility, skills, or lobbying for change, we’re here to listen and act. If you haven’t had a check-in recently, just ask. Step Up Your Involvement Some members want to go further. CKMA’s curated sponsorship programme offers opportunities to raise your brand, support the network, and align yourself with local manufacturing leadership. You can also contribute by speaking at events, mentoring others, or simply volunteering time and ideas to help the community thrive. Use the Badge All members and sponsors receive a CKMA Member logo – display it proudly on your website, email signature or marketing materials. It shows your commitment to supporting manufacturing in Calderdale and Kirklees – and that you’re part of something bigger. A bit more old school? We’ll send you one of our CKMA window stickers for your reception or vehicle! Stay Connected Follow CKMA on LinkedIn, engage with our posts, and tag us when sharing your own updates. It’s an easy way to grow your visibility and stay informed about what’s going on across the region. It Starts with You CKMA is built by manufacturers, for manufacturers. Your ideas, input and engagement shape what the Alliance becomes. So whether you’re here to network, collaborate, learn or lead – make the most of it. Got questions or want to talk about how we can support you more? Drop us a quick note using our contact form #strongertogether
July 11, 2025
A New Industrial Strategy: What It Means for Manufacturing in West Yorkshire
The UK Government has launched a new 10-year Industrial Strategy, marking a significant shift in national economic policy. Designed to unlock investment, boost productivity, and create high-quality jobs, the strategy focuses on long-term, sector-led growth—with manufacturing at its core. At the heart of the strategy are eight key sectors identified as critical to the UK’s future prosperity. These include Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Life Sciences, Defence, Digital & Tech, Creative Industries, Financial Services, and Professional & Business Services. For manufacturing businesses across Calderdale and Kirklees, this represents both a signal of intent and a practical opportunity. The strategy commits to: Reducing industrial electricity costs Accelerating grid connections for new sites Unlocking finance through the British Business Bank and new Industrial Strategy Zones Supporting innovation and skills development in key clusters Importantly, the strategy includes a strong place-based component—recognising that growth is driven by local ecosystems of SMEs, supply chains, research institutions, and regional leadership. As CKMA, we’ll be working to ensure that our region’s voice is heard, and that West Yorkshire manufacturers are well positioned to benefit from the support and investment this strategy promises. You can read the full strategy here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-strategy
July 7, 2025
Collaborative R&D grants: Making the Most of Britain’s investment in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It runs from 2021 to 2027 with a total budget of around €95.5 billion, making it the largest research and innovation programme in the world. Its goal is to drive scientific excellence, support industrial competitiveness, and tackle global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and digital transformation. The programme is organised into three main pillars: Excellent Science – Supports frontier research and the development of research infrastructure (e.g. through the European Research Council). Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness – Funds collaborative research tackling societal challenges (e.g. health, climate, energy, mobility). Innovative Europe – Promotes market-creating innovations and supports SMEs (e.g. through the European Innovation Council). Horizon Europe includes measures to strengthen the participation of underrepresented countries and improve the overall R&I ecosystem in Europe and is organised around “missions” such as cancer, climate adaptation, and oceans, as well as public-private and public-public partnerships to pool resources and expertise. The programme is not only open to universities, governments and research organisations, companies can also apply – including small and medium sized enterprises, often in partnership with organisations who are more focussed on research than commercialisation. Despite Brexit, UK organisations can associate to Horizon Europe and access most of the programme’s funding and opportunities, following the UK-EU agreement announced in 2023. Here, we hear from Louise Mothersole, one of the UK’s national contact points for the programme. Louise talks about the best way for UK for organisations to find partners to opportunities within the programme. In Louise’s words, “The most frequent question I am asked is how to find consortium partners. There are several things you could do: Treat joining a consortium as a project in its own right. Make a plan of activities and tasks and allocate time and resources. Set up review milestones to check progress. Being in the right consortium is almost as important as writing a good proposal. The European Commission recently said at a Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility Programme Committee meeting “Never in the history of Horizon Europe has a consortium of just newcomers to the programme been successful”. Therefore, your challenge is to find people who have strong track record of past success and demonstrate to them that they need you in their team if they are going to continue to be successful. The following suggested actions are in what I think of as descending order of usefulness. Networking is by far the most useful way to find consortium partners. You will often hear people say “I was lucky, I got invited into a consortium by somebody I knew already”. If you know somebody already that is in a position to invite you to join a consortium, it is likely that these are part of your professional network rather than somebody you met while waiting for the kids to come out of football practice. You won’t win the Lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, and in the same way, there are things you can do to improve your chances of being invited to join a consortium. Networking isn’t just about following people on Linked In, it’s about interacting with others in your sector in such a way that they can see the value of your work and how it might help them with their work. Things you can do to improve your networking profile, regardless of whether you are seeking consortium partners for a specific competition, include: Write posts/blogs for Linked In, encourage your colleagues to share/forward these and, if people comment on your post, engage with them. Formal peer reviewed papers have their place but for networking where you can have a discussion in almost real time and allow others to see that discussion, Linked In is very useful. Join European associations and similar organisations for your sector and be an active member. Don’t just pay your subscription and occasionally scan the newsletter but join in the work of the association. Ask about specific working groups and join these, especially those writing technology roadmaps and similar. Volunteer to draft documents and papers (if you are short of time, volunteer to be a reviewer). Demonstrate thought leadership and that you are the person that everyone needs to have in their team if they are going to be successful. If you aren’t sure which organisations are the best ones for you to engage with, you can search the Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility Stakeholder Directory by sector Attend conferences, workshops, etc and be an active participant. Don’t sit there answering emails or browsing X on your phone, pay attention to every speaker and actively think of what question you might ask of them that demonstrates that you have grasped the key issues, understand the implications of these and that you have additional insight that should be considered in any follow-up work (after all, if they’re planning a follow-on project, they need you in their consortium don’t they?). Don’t be confrontational/negative about what they have achieved but be supportive and additive to their work. For online workshops and meetings it’s even more important to stand out as somebody who would make an ideal consortium partner. If possible, keep your camera on and make sure you are paying attention (and are seen to be paying attention). Once the meeting is underway, write in the chat “Good morning/afternoon, great to see so many old friends here”. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anyone because each person in the virtual room now thinks that you know everyone else except them. There is a subtle change in the way that people respond if they think you’re part of the ‘club’ (most easily recognised if you are not part of the club). Continue to engage the room by being active in the text/chat: Paste a few sentences (not an essay) to explain who you are beginning “For those I’ve not yet met in person, I’m…” i.e., still implying you know most people there Post your email address and encourage people to contact you – think of it as handing out your business card Post points in support of, or to add to those of, the speaker (not negative points, even if they are obvious, as these are rarely well received by the audience and it’s those people you are networking with, not just the speaker). Prepare at least one question that shows your insight into the issue being discussed. To find potential partners that have a strong track record of previously successful proposals and therefore know how to write a winning proposal, you can search the EU’s CORDIS website where every past project has a webpage that contains a brief description of the project and lists the coordinator and project participants (the link above already filters for Horizon Europe projects from Cluster 5). Once you have logged in to the system (same login as the rest of the EU funding and tenders portal), you can get in touch with the ‘Participant Contact’ which is the name for the specific person involved in the project, by clicking on ‘Contact the organisation’. For example: Searching using key words ‘Maritime Wind Shipping’ returns 15 projects. The first result is given as ‘Orcelle Wind as main propulsion by ORCELLE’ and clicking through the link takes us to the project’s page which tells us that the coordinator of this project is Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS. Scrolling down the web page for the project we can see that there are 11 other participants too. Under each organisation (click the down arrow on the right to reveal if not visible) is a link to ‘Contact the organisation’ When you click through, you will come to a text box where you can send a message – ask them about their project, be interested in what they’re doing. All projects have to Disseminate and Communicate their results so they should be happy to hear from you. Build a relationship with them and tell them about your capabilities before you ask if they’re involved in preparing a follow-on proposal and perhaps you could help? You will be limited to sending only about 10 messages a day and I have heard that there is only about a 10% response rate but if you make a point of sending 10 every afternoon before you log off for the day, you will get five responses a week from people that you know that they know how to write a winning proposal – they’ve done it before! There are several partner search websites where you can search the profiles of potential partners and upload your own too. However, it is quite rare for well established Horizon Europe participants to use these schemes, and they’re the people you’re trying to attract so my advice is not to rely on these but to use them as well as networking and searching CORDIS as described above. Some examples include: The EU funding and tenders portal has a Partner Search tab Each Topic (EU word for individual competition) listed on the EU funding and tenders portal has a specific link to organisations seeking to partner for that Topic (scroll down on an individual Topic web page) The Enterprise Europe Network has a Partnering Opportunities facility although interaction beyond initial search will require you to work with Innovate UK Business Growth The Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility National Contact Points from across Europe have created a partner search facility just for this part of the programme – GREENET. This is a ‘curated’ system so only approved profiles are uploaded. Once again, sorry for the length of this article, but as I said at the start, getting in to the right team is difficult but essential and hopefully the above steps can help you to find the right partners. Louise Mothersole is the UK National Contact Point for Horizon Europe and the author of this article.
July 5, 2025
Welcome to our new member: Fox Engravers Ltd, Huddersfield
Fox Engravers combine the very best of traditional engraving and modern laser technology, to supply and engrave trophies and awards, business and corporate goods and provide a unique personalisation offering. Working in partnership with fellow manufacturers to supply signs and labels for machinery and goods produced using a variety of materials. See Member Directory for details.
April 3, 2025
CKMA Members inspired at Touchstone Glazing and Design Glass Ltd
Members were treated to an exceptionally inspiring story from Liz Taylor, Director, about the history, development and future plans of these two truly innovative companies marrying traditional craftsmanship not changed in centuries with technology and innovation enabling them to look forward to a sustainable future in what some would deem to be a dying industry.
March 27, 2025
Meet our newest member of the Steering Group: Nick Hampson from Lancereal Ltd
Meet our newest member of the Steering Group: Nick Hampson from Lancereal Ltd Lancereal, Penistone Road, Kirkburton, Huddersfield.Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for LancerealDate: October 4, 2024 Nick has been a regular attender of CKMA events for a number of years. Here is what he has to say about why he accepted the nomination to join the Steering Group… “Having personally benefitted from a first-class apprenticeship and many successful years of close working with skilled and experienced people I feel I have a responsibility to ensure that I share, in whatever way I can, my knowledge to strengthen and maintain our manufacturing capabilities locally and nationally. After starting out with David Brown Gear Industries in 1962 I worked my way up through Industrial and Marine gear fitting and assembly into Transmission Design Estimating and Export Sales and then was invited to join the Board. After 25 years I stepped away and established Lancereal Ltd as a UK based distributor of Power Transmission products, including gearboxes and industrial clutches. With 37 years of continuous growth we added CNC machines to complement our capacity and offer additional products and product flexibility. We now employ 14 staff and export 70% of our turnover. In 2025 we completed a management buy-out with two co-directors now taking the business forward.”
February 24, 2025
26.2.2025 West Yorkshire Advancing Manufacturing Futures Summit
26.2.2025 West Yorkshire Advancing Manufacturing Futures Summit We have the highest number of high-value manufacturers in the UK and sit at the centre of global supply chains. We are renowned for our use of cutting-edge technologies, dedication to producing high-quality materials, and leadership in the manufacturing industry. Advancing Manufacturing Futures offers a unique opportunity to connect with a room of industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators. We will explore the evolving needs of West Yorkshire manufacturers, and cultivate a valuable community dedicated to collaboration. Don’t miss this Yorkshire-wide event for manufacturers supported by CKMA and sponsored by Lloyds Bank. Full day programme commencing at 9am Book here
February 15, 2025
12.2.2025 AGM WEST YORKSHIRE MANUFACTURING – BRIDGING OUR PAST AND OUR FUTURE
12.2.2025 AGM Join us for this update and enjoy meeting and socialising with other manufacturing leaders and engineers – bar open for networking sessions! WEST YORKSHIRE MANUFACTURING – BRIDGING OUR PAST AND OUR FUTURE HOW WE ARE POWERING THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUPPLY CHAINS In a challenging and changing environment with recent government changes, the financial impact from the budget, more responsibility and funding being devolved to the regions through English regional mayors and the ongoing issues of recruiting, retaining and training staff there has never been a more important time for SME manufacturers to organise ourselves to be heard by policy makers and politicians. Our AGM this year highlights personalities working at regional level and beyond on behalf of our industry. At the meeting, we will hear about efforts to wrest control of the manufacturing agenda and organise our sector to properly represent the issues and needs facing a wide range of small and medium sized manufacturing businesses, critical to the health of the global economy but all too often hidden from view in the lower echelons of its diverse supply chains. Aaron Holt, Yorkshire Entrepreneur and Founder/Co-owner of Holdson Ltd, an innovative green tech machine tool startup based in Skelmanthorpe will speak about his role on the West Yorkshire Business Board and proactively driving the agenda for manufacturing. The Business Board represents the view of the private sector. It makes sure that local businesses remain fundamental to decision-making and delivery at the Combined Authority. Fara Butt, Director of award-winning Shire Beds Ltd, will speak about her role as Chair of the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Advisory Board and the importance now increasingly being placed by West Yorkshire local government on recognising the needs of manufacturing industry in our area. Neil Kendall, Chair of CKMA, will also speak about the work going on behind the scenes to bring a cohesive representation of the industry across West Yorkshire in the future and also plans to develop and widen the influence of the manufacturing community. Stuart Thornton, of M Thornton Engineering Ltd and CKMA Steering Group member, will give an update on our Skills Special Interest Group comprising members specifically interested in pushing the skills and training agenda. There will be a brief AGM with a review of CKMA activity in 2024 and plans for the future. Come along for an evening shared with the manufacturing community and our supporters to kick off 2025! Date: Weds 12.2.2025 Time: 5.30pm – 6.00pm for a 6pm start. 7.30pm onwards closing buffet and bar open Venue: Briar Court Hotel, Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, Huddersfield HD3 3NT Book via Eventbrite here
January 9, 2025