Gender Diversity Critical Driver for UK Manufacturing Growth

Women leaders in the UK’s STEM sector are urging manufacturing and engineering firms to recognise and amplify the crucial role women play in driving innovation across the country’s evolving production industry.

Despite making up 51% of the national population, women account for 26.1% of the manufacturing workforce, according to 2024 figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Among the world's top 15 manufacturing nations, the UK has the lowest proportion of women in the sector.

Ahead of International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, four women leading Made in Britain manufacturing businesses share why greater visibility and stronger representation are essential to attracting more female talent to one of the UK’s most innovative industries.

"We need to challenge outdated perceptions of manufacturing and highlight how it embraces creativity, problem-solving and the natural aptitude many women have for making and designing," says Camilla Hadcock, Chairman of Made in Britain and Director of Roach Bridge Tissues.

"Contrary to popular belief, women aren’t intimidated by machinery—in fact, many thrive in hands-on, technical environments. With advances in automation and robotics now handling more physically demanding tasks, manufacturing is more accessible than ever.

"Visibility is vital. By showcasing the incredible contributions of women in STEM, we can inspire the next generation of female talent to see manufacturing and engineering as accessible, diverse and rewarding fields.

"Only through representation can we break down the barriers and stereotypes that still persist today. In this sense, gender diversity across the sector is a critical factor in fuelling growth for British manufacturing."

Alison Orrells, CEO of Made in Britain member The Safety Letterbox Company explains why early engagement with the next generation of female-led talent is critical in the government’s push to reshore British Manufacturing. 

Alison, who has led the award-winning Safety Letterbox Company for 26 years, stresses that with a renewed focus on British-made products comes a unique opportunity to encourage diversity and more female talent into the sector. 

“There is an opportunity in the manufacturing sector to reduce reliance on imported goods and supply chains to reshore British manufacturing. From shorter lead times to greater agility, control, job creation and reduced emissions, the benefits are huge.

"However, at the same time, the industry must work hard to ensure we are not isolating women from the STEM sector by failing to highlight the sheer scope of roles available to aspiring girls and women everywhere.

“Alongside our domestic market, we export our accredited British-made post and parcel boxes to many countries worldwide and we proudly display the Made in Britain trademark to give a reassurance of quality and craftsmanship that is very well received in the global marketplace.

"We need to give the next generation of talent a similar reassurance and truly highlight the vast scale of roles available in manufacturing, engineering and beyond, which is often understated.

"This exciting sector can offer a career route for all, through apprenticeships at all levels and also opportunities to embrace technology such as AI to produce the next generation of manufacturing in the UK.

“From the production and manufacturing side of it through to marketing, sales, accounts, operational, HR, leadership and management, so there's so much to offer, so much choice and diversity. There are so many opportunities to bring more talented women into the nation’s STEM workforce.

"More needs to happen at school age to open their eyes to what manufacturing actually is and the incredibly exciting opportunities that exist within it.”

“On a very basic level, I believe that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’," says Founder and Managing Director of Made in Britain member Naturally TIWA Skincare, Shalom Lloyd MBE. 

Shalom proudly became a UK Department of Business and Trade Export Champion in 2018.

"If we want more women leading the charge in the manufacturing workforce, we have to be able to see and perceive their invaluable contributions. For example, my workforce in our factories, which process our organic shea butter, is entirely female-led and my factory manager is a true force of nature!

"Being in that environment, seeing women operating machinery and leading at the forefront, that is what I want to see.

“We need to ensure we spread this visibility to intelligent young women who are passionate about innovating and creating - because when you love something, it stops simply being a job and becomes a calling.”

“In my 20-year journey at this legacy British manufacturing company, I’ve definitely worn my fair share of hats," says Amanda Coffman, Commercial Manager at Made in Britain member, Thor Hammer Ltd.

"From starting out as an export administrator to now managing the entire commercial team, I think it highlights how women can rise through the ranks in a traditionally male-dominated industry, like manufacturing. 

“There is this lingering perception that manufacturing is ‘dirty’ work and I think that can perhaps put off some girls and women from joining the industry, but the truth is we’ve come a long way from the grimy factory floor stereotype.

"Manufacturing and engineering are diverse, multifaceted fields that have a lot to offer and I think that more needs to be done in an education setting to give women, not just the same access to these courses as men, but the reassurance they need by visibly showing female innovators at work.”

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