Wakefield has always been a place where things are made — and where manufacturing matters. With around 21,500 manufacturing jobs in the local authority area (around 12.7% of all jobs), the sector is a cornerstone of the district’s economy, alongside a wider economic output of around £8.3bn GVA. Yet the pressures facing manufacturers are intensifying: skills shortages, recruitment and retention challenges, rising costs, sustainability requirements, investment decisions, and supply chain volatility. In short, the issues are complex — and they’re shared.
That’s exactly why the new We Are Wakefield Manufacturing Forum has been created: a practical, action‑focused space where manufacturers can come together to tackle common challenges, learn from each other, and strengthen the collective voice of the sector.
The Forum was officially launched at the Nostell Estate on Friday 1st May, with attendance from nine of the district’s leading manufacturers and strong interest from many more who couldn’t be there on the day. The result was an energised, solutions‑driven conversation from the start — the kind of discussion that only works when the people in the room truly understand the realities of running a manufacturing operation.
Crucially, this is a Forum that will be run by manufacturers, for manufacturers. A steering group made up of Hako, CO Manufacturing, OE Electrics and Solupak will shape the programme and ensure the agenda stays relevant, grounded and useful. The group — Karen Starkey (CO Manufacturing), Charlie Owen (OE Electrics), Helen McDonald (Solupak) and Sylvie Giangolini (Hako) — will now meet to plan the next session, including the topic, date, time and venue.
From the first discussion at Nostell, it was clear that manufacturers don’t need more noise — they need a trusted environment where they can speak openly, compare notes, and turn shared problems into shared progress. The themes raised were wide‑ranging but strikingly aligned: skills and attracting talent; engagement with colleges and universities; funding and investment; apprenticeships; building a sustainable talent pipeline; recruitment and retention; accessibility and sustainability in manufacturing; knowledge transfer and protecting legacy; supply chain collaboration; and the value of factory tours and peer learning. There was also a strong appetite for peer support — honest conversations about what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.
That “peer power” is where the Forum’s value really comes to life. When manufacturers collaborate, the benefits are practical and immediate: faster problem‑solving, better supplier intelligence, clearer routes into education partnerships, stronger recruitment ideas, and access to people who have already navigated the same challenges. It also creates something larger than the sum of its parts — a confident, informed collective voice that can engage more effectively with decision‑makers, training providers, and support organisations.
The new Forum also represents a fresh chapter for the district’s manufacturing community. It takes over from the previous Wakefield Manufacturer’s Forum, and comes with clear backing and momentum — including support from the local authority, with Key Account Manager Gareth Morley attending sessions and Chief Executive Tony Reeves expressing interest in attending future meetings. Just as importantly, the Forum is now anchored within We Are Wakefield, a not‑for‑profit organisation built on collaboration and practical support.
We Are Wakefield has become a powerful connector across the district — bringing together businesses, education, local authority and community partners through monthly events, direct signposting and relationship‑building. Under Claire Sutherley’s leadership, WAW has grown into a network of 200+ members, providing a platform where connections translate into real commercial outcomes. Recent member survey findings published by WAW point to measurable economic impact — with the community generating £4.2m–£5.8m of value per year, and WAW itself reinvesting over £64,000 into local suppliers through event delivery over a 12‑month period.
As Claire Sutherley, Managing Director of We Are Wakefield, said at the launch:
“It’s an honour to welcome more manufacturers into the We Are Wakefield community and provide this extra bolt-on support. It continues the ethos of WAW where working together promotes growth for our businesses and for our District as a whole,”
That ethos was echoed later the same morning when manufacturers joined the We Are Wakefield First Friday event at Nostell Priory, where the steering group shared sector insights with a 150‑strong audience as part of a panel facilitated by Claire. WAW’s model — connecting businesses across sectors and helping them collaborate in ways that create savings, productivity gains and new opportunities — was brought to life through examples of how manufacturers can work not only with each other, but with the wider local business community. The message was clear: manufacturers don’t just strengthen their own businesses when they collaborate — they strengthen the district’s economy, supply chains and talent pathways too.
So what will the Forum look like in practice? Manufacturers at the launch were clear that a “one size fits all” approach won’t work. The favoured direction was quarterly sessions hosted at different manufacturing premises, taking the Forum “on the road” to include factory tours and genuine peer exchange. Formats will be shaped by attendees and could include peer roundtables, workshops, specialist speaker sessions, and practical problem‑solving discussions — all designed to support the sector’s priorities as they evolve.
There’s also tangible support already on the table. The Forum is kindly sponsored by Huddersfield Business School, who have committed to supporting forum members through fully funded places on their Help to Grow: Management Programme starting in September. For many SMEs, that kind of support can be transformational — strengthening leadership capability, improving strategic planning, and helping businesses scale sustainably.
Another major opportunity for the sector was also announced: the launch of the Manufacturer of the Year Award as part of the Wakefield Business Awards. Entries for the Wakefield Business Awards open on 11th May, with the main awards event taking place at WX Wakefield on Thursday 12th November. For manufacturers, it’s a powerful chance to step into the spotlight — not just to celebrate success, but to build credibility and visibility in a way that supports growth.
Benefits of entering the Wakefield Business Awards (including Manufacturer of the Year) include:
- Independent recognition that boosts credibility with customers, suppliers and partners
- Greater visibility and PR value, strengthening your profile in the district and beyond
- Employer brand impact — helping attract talent by showcasing what makes your business a great place to work
- Team motivation and retention, by celebrating achievements and giving people pride in what they’ve helped build
- A stronger platform for growth, supporting bids, partnerships, and even funding conversations where credibility matters
Ultimately, though, the biggest message from the launch is simple: the Forum will be as strong as the manufacturers who shape it.
If you’re a manufacturer in the Wakefield District, getting involved isn’t just about attending a meeting. It’s about gaining access to a trusted peer network, shaping the talent pipeline conversation, strengthening local supply chain links, learning what’s working elsewhere, and ensuring the needs of the sector are heard clearly and consistently. In a landscape where skills, sustainability and competitiveness are moving targets, the businesses that collaborate are often the businesses that move faster — and with more confidence.
The steering group is now inviting all Wakefield District manufacturers to register interest for the next session. To find out more, or to get involved, contact Claire@wearewakefield.org.uk.
