What does a Lord get up to when he is not enjoying a cold beer?
The May IET Central London Network evening lecture was something special, a panel event in the Kelvin Lecture Theatre with the theme of celebrating British ingenuity, resilience, and ambition. Our host for the evening was Halil Bedevi and he opened the event with a powerful reminder: manufacturing is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force shaping the future. Halil highlighted the UK’s global standing - 12th in manufacturing output, 2nd in aerospace and defence exports, and home to world-class sectors from food and drink to pharmaceuticals. Despite challenges, UK manufacturing contributes £224 billion to the economy and employs 2.6 million people directly.
A recurring theme was the need for global competitiveness. With 56% of UK businesses dependent on Chinese supply chains, the panel discussed the rise of India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia as manufacturing hubs. Strategies like reshoring and friend-shoring are gaining traction, reflecting a desire for supply chain resilience and sovereignty.
Technological innovation was front and centre. Brian Holliday of Siemens emphasised the transformative power of automation and AI, noting that industrial jobs in manufacturing pay 10% above the national average. He called for greater investment in skills and diversity, pointing out that engineering remains 87% male - a gap that must be addressed to unlock the sector’s full potential.
The UK’s space sector was another highlight. Roy Haworth of Airbus showcased the country’s leadership in satellite design and manufacturing, including the upcoming Mars rover and software-defined satellites. With over 1,700 space organisations and 52,000 employees, the sector contributes £7.2 billion in gross value annually.
Startups also had their moment. Marco Gomez-Jenkins of SuperSharp Space Systems shared how his Cambridge-born company is revolutionising thermal imaging with unfolding space telescopes. His story underscored the importance of university-industry collaboration and government support in scaling high-value manufacturing.
Adaptability emerged as a key success factor. Sam Guest from ProtoLabs described how rapid prototyping and agile manufacturing help clients navigate tariffs, pandemics, and supply chain disruptions. Dave Swan of Tharsus echoed this, showcasing a diverse portfolio - from Ocado robots to plywood housing systems - built on solving real-world problems with speed and precision.
The evening concluded with Lord Karan Bilimoria emphasizing the critical role of manufacturing in the UK economy, lamenting its decline from 30% of GDP in the 1970s to under 10% today. As Chair of the Manufacturing Commission and founder of Cobra Beer, he shared his entrepreneurial journey, which began at Cambridge University. Dissatisfied with fizzy lagers and their incompatibility with spicy food, he created a smooth, less gassy lager-ale hybrid. Over 35 years, he built it into a household name, winning 151 gold medals. After exiting Cobra in 2023, he launched two ventures: General Bilimoria’s Canteen, a food delivery brand, and Pylex, a herbal remedy for hemorrhoids.
Lord Bilimoria highlighted the importance of collaboration between manufacturing, universities, and government. As former Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, he celebrated achievements like the University’s work on hydrogen trains and contributions to Rolls-Royce jet engine metallurgy. He stressed the power of cross-border partnerships, citing the Oxford-AstraZeneca-Serum Institute collaboration that produced two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses. His message underscored that innovation often stems from improving existing ideas and that partnerships across sectors and borders can be transformative and life-saving.
In a world facing geopolitical uncertainty, climate change, and technological disruption, UK manufacturing stands as a pillar of national resilience. The panel called for bold investment, strategic policy, and a renewed cultural appreciation of making. As Halil aptly put it, “Manufacturing is for everyone - it’s how we make the future, right here.”
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Watch the Lecture on IET TV here:
https://tv.theiet.org/?videoid=18196
Did you know that Savoy place has a 24/7 webcam? https://www.theiet.org/about/our-venues/iet-london-savoy-place-webcam