STEM Leaders Shine a Light on Gender Diversity as a Key Driver for Growth in UK Manufacturing

Prominent women in the UK’s STEM field are calling on manufacturing and engineering companies to recognize and uplift the essential roles that women play in fostering innovation and growth within Britain’s changing industrial scene.

Even though women make up 51% of the population, they only represent 26.1% of the UK’s manufacturing workforce, according to the Office for National Statistics in 2024. Among the top 15 manufacturing nations globally, the UK has the lowest percentage of female representation in this sector.

As we approach International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, four leading women from Made in Britain member companies are advocating for increased visibility and representation of women in manufacturing. Their goal is to draw more female talent into one of the country’s most vibrant and innovative industries.

Camilla Hadcock, Chairman of Made in Britain and Director of Roach Bridge Tissues, shared her thoughts:

“We need to challenge outdated views of manufacturing by highlighting how the sector values creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills—areas where many women truly shine. With automation and robotics taking over more physically demanding tasks, manufacturing has become more accessible than ever. Visibility is crucial. By showcasing the accomplishments of women in STEM roles, we can inspire the next generation and break down the stereotypes that still persist. Gender diversity is undeniably a vital element in driving growth across British manufacturing.”

Alison Orrells, the CEO of The Safety Letterbox Company, highlighted how crucial it is to engage with young female talent early on to help the UK’s goal of bringing manufacturing back home:

“Cutting down on our dependence on imports opens up fantastic opportunities—like being more agile, having shorter lead times, creating jobs, and lowering carbon emissions.

But we need to make sure we’re not leaving women out by not sharing the full range of career options available in the STEM and manufacturing fields.”

With over 26 years of experience leading her award-winning business, Orrells sees a real chance to promote diversity alongside the renewed emphasis on locally produced goods:

“We take pride in exporting our British-made post and parcel boxes around the world under the Made in Britain trademark—a mark of quality and craftsmanship that resonates globally. We need to instill that same sense of confidence and opportunity in the next generation.

Manufacturing offers a wide array of roles—from production to marketing, operations to leadership. It’s an exciting field, providing apprenticeships and career paths at all levels, including in cutting-edge technologies like AI.”

Shalom Lloyd MBE, the Founder and Managing Director of Naturally TIWA Skincare, emphasized the importance of visibility in promoting gender inclusion:

“At its heart, the idea is straightforward—you can’t aspire to be what you can’t see.

In my own company, our shea butter processing facilities are completely led by women, and my factory manager is a force to be reckoned with. We should be amplifying the reality of women confidently leading on the shop floor.”

As a proud member of Made in Britain and a UK Department for Business and Trade Export Champion, Lloyd added: “We need to highlight these examples to young, bright women who are eager to create and innovate. For many of us, this isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.”

Amanda Coffman, the Commercial Manager at Thor Hammer Ltd, recently opened up about her career path to showcase how women can truly excel in fields that have been traditionally dominated by men.

“Throughout my 20 years with this historic British manufacturer, I’ve climbed the ranks from export administration to leading the commercial team.

Even though some people still view manufacturing as ‘dirty’ or just hard labor, the truth is far from that. The industry has transformed into a cutting-edge, high-tech space that offers a wide range of fulfilling career options.

We need to emphasize the importance of education in shining a light on these opportunities and providing encouragement through visible role models.”

If you want to discover more about Made in Britain and its growing network of British manufacturers, check out www.madeinbritain.org.