Manufacturing Leaders

Mark Bracknall
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Currently the Number 1 Manufacturing Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Mark Bracknall, Founder of Theo James Recruitment is the host of Manufacturing Leaders. The UK is still a powerhouse in Manufacturing & Engineering. We speak to those who are helping to make those firms a success. By motivating, inspiring and managing teams. Are you new to management? Are you keen to hear from those who are dealing with the same day-to-day challenges you are facing? In this podcast we get inside the minds of the Managers in Manufacturing & Engineering, and understand how they get the best our of their teams and make Manufacturing & Engineering great.

  1. 16h ago

    James Hill: Learning to Lead the Business You Grew Up In

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Manufacturing Leaders’ Podcast, Mark welcomes James Hill, Managing Director of Polar NE, a family-run business specialising in windows and doors for healthcare environments. James reflects on almost 23 years with the business, sharing how working across design, project management and operations shaped his approach to leadership before becoming MD. He discusses the challenges of stepping into the role around the onset of COVID-19, making difficult decisions and helping the team navigate uncertainty and structural change. The conversation explores what it takes to maintain a strong company culture as a business grows. James shares how the Polar NE team pulled together to overcome logistical challenges and deliver on client commitments, driven by a shared purpose of improving healthcare environments. James also talks about transparency, accountability and honest feedback, including why addressing difficult conversations early matters for both leaders and their teams. From clear communication to faster decision-making, this episode offers practical lessons for leaders managing change while keeping their people connected to the purpose behind their work. Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    James Hill: Learning to Lead the Business You Grew Up In

  2. Oct 1

    Laura Black: How to Lead When You’re the Youngest in the Room

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, Mark welcomes Laura Black, UK Director of Sales at Smithers Oasis, to talk about sales, leadership and the lessons she has learned throughout her career. Laura shares how she went from studying law to door-to-door sales, and then to leading teams at a young age. She reflects on how hearing “no” early in her career helped her build resilience and taught her to listen closely to what customers need. Mark and Laura discuss why trust and honesty matter in sales, and how Laura has adapted her approach to managing people. She talks about using tools such as Myers-Briggs to better understand herself and her team, as well as recognising when taking on too much was leading her towards burnout. The conversation also covers her experience as a woman in leadership, finding balance as her career has grown, and the work Smithers Oasis is doing on more sustainable products. If you work in sales or lead a team, Laura’s reflections offer plenty to take away!  Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    Laura Black: How to Lead When You’re the Youngest in the Room

  3. Sep 17

    Andy Nisevic: From Toxic Leadership to Lasting Change

    Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, Mark welcomes Andy Nisevic, founder of One Degree Training & Coaching, for an open and honest conversation about toxic leadership, mental health and personal change. After serving in the RAF for 23 years, Andy went on to train and coach leaders and leadership teams. However, his work today is also shaped by his own difficult experiences. Andy reflects on reaching a low point in 2018, when he was diagnosed with depression and recognised that stress, impatience and a lack of time had caused him to become what he describes as a "toxic leader." The conversation explores how good people can develop toxic leadership traits, why the label does not always tell the full story and how pressure can gradually influence the way someone leads. Andy also discusses the importance of humility, acknowledging mistakes and having the difficult conversations needed to create meaningful change. For senior leaders in manufacturing and engineering, the episode offers an honest look at how toxic behaviours take hold, how to recognise them and how leaders can begin to break the cycle. This is a powerful episode about self-awareness, accountability and becoming a better leader. Do not miss it.  Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    Andy Nisevic: From Toxic Leadership to Lasting Change

  4. Sep 3

    Sarah Wright: The Conversations Great Leaders Don’t Avoid

    Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, Mark welcomes Sarah Wright, leadership coach and founder of Career Space, to discuss modern leadership, employee empowerment and creating more productive workplaces. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, learning and development, and HR, Sarah explores how leadership has evolved from a focus on technical ability towards effective people management. Sarah discusses the importance of trust, empowerment and psychological safety, explaining how giving employees greater autonomy can improve productivity and support business growth. The conversation also explores why leaders should address difficult conversations promptly, how feedback can be delivered constructively and why listening to employees at every level can unlock valuable insights. Sarah shares her thoughts on the growing role of AI in leadership, highlighting how it can streamline administrative tasks and give leaders more time to focus on meaningful human conversations. The episode also covers cross-generational learning, mentoring and the value of bringing together the perspectives of new graduates and experienced professionals to encourage innovation and improve retention. This is an episode you do not want to miss! Click here to connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    Sarah Wright: The Conversations Great Leaders Don’t Avoid

  5. Jul 23

    Katie O'Brien: Changing Culture in a 100-Year-Old Manufacturing Business

    Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, Mark welcomes Katie O’Brien, General Manager of HR at Komatsu, to discuss leadership, workplace culture and the complexities of creating change within a well-established manufacturing business. The conversation explores the qualities Katie believes are essential in effective leaders, including curiosity, judgement and commitment. Katie explains how these traits can influence leadership decisions, strengthen relationships and help create a more positive culture throughout an organisation. She also discusses the challenges involved in transforming long-established leadership styles and the importance of encouraging leaders to remain open, ask questions and understand the experiences of their teams. The episode explores employee engagement, meaningful work and what businesses can do to create an environment where people feel valued, supported and fulfilled. Katie shares valuable insight into how leadership behaviours shape workplace culture and why lasting change requires commitment from leaders at every level of an organisation. Don't miss this one! We have recently launched the Manufacturing Leaders Community!  If you are an MD, CEO, Operations Director, Plant Manager, Engineering Director, HR Director or Supply Chain leader working in manufacturing and engineering across the North East, Yorkshire and beyond, this is open to you! Click here to learn more and get on the waiting list. Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    Katie O'Brien: Changing Culture in a 100-Year-Old Manufacturing Business

  6. Jul 9

    The Leadership Lessons Hidden Inside the Net Zero Transition

    Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders Podcast, Mark Bracknall welcomes Gareth Kane, Managing Director of Terra Infirma, sustainability consultant, author, and host of the Net Zero Business Podcast, to discuss sustainability leadership, organisational change, and achieving meaningful environmental progress. The conversation explores Gareth's journey into sustainability and the lessons he has learned from over twenty years of helping businesses implement effective environmental strategies. Gareth emphasises the critical role leadership plays in delivering successful sustainability initiatives, explaining why organisations must understand their own unique business case for sustainability rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.  He also discusses the psychology of organisational change and why engaging teams in the process is essential for long-term success. The episode explores how businesses of all sizes, from major organisations to manufacturing SMEs, are adopting innovative approaches to sustainability while creating commercial value. This is an episode you do not want to miss! You can connect with Gareth on LinkedIn here. Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    The Leadership Lessons Hidden Inside the Net Zero Transition

  7. Jun 25

    Lessons in Leadership, Succession and Building a Loyal Team

    Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders podcast, Mark welcomes Guy Armitage, Managing Director of York Handmade Brick, to discuss family business leadership, craftsmanship, innovation, and the future of sustainable manufacturing. The conversation explores Guy’s journey within a business built on generations of expertise, tracing York Handmade Brick’s evolution from its founding in 1988 to becoming a recognised name in the production of premium handmade and bespoke bricks.  Guy shares insights into the responsibility of carrying forward a family legacy while continuing to adapt and grow in a rapidly changing industry. Guy discusses the challenges of leading a manufacturing business in today’s environment, from embracing new technologies and improving production efficiency to maintaining the quality and craftsmanship that define the company’s work.  Listeners will gain an authentic insight into the realities of running a family-owned manufacturing business, the importance of adapting to change, and the values required to build a successful organisation that stands the test of time. This is an episode you do not want to miss! Click here to connect with Guy on LinkedIn.  Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    Lessons in Leadership, Succession and Building a Loyal Team

  8. Jun 11

    AI, Automation and the Future of Engineering Leadership

    Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Leaders' Podcast, Mark Bracknall is joined by Tim MacLaren, Operations Director at Industrial Technology Systems (ITS). Tim shares his unconventional career journey, from starting out in the police force to building a successful career in digital operations, technology and engineering leadership.  The conversation explores the importance of authentic leadership, with Tim sharing his thoughts on developing your own leadership style rather than trying to emulate others.   Mark and Tim dive into the work being done at Industrial Technology Systems, discussing the role of systems integration in sectors including pharmaceuticals, nuclear and energy.  They explore how technology, automation and AI are helping manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce downtime and future-proof their operations. The episode also highlights the strength of the North East business community, with Tim sharing why collaboration, support and knowledge-sharing have played such an important role in both his career and the region's continued growth. This is an insightful discussion on leadership, career development, innovation and the opportunities that come from embracing change. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a career transition or interested in the future of manufacturing and technology, this episode offers plenty of valuable insights and practical takeaways. Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn. Click here to see our upcoming events. Please like and subscribe - it genuinely helps grow the show and, in turn, helps push the industry forward. Theo James is a Manufacturing & Engineering Recruiter based in the North East, helping Manufacturing and Engineering firms grow across the UK.  If you’d like more information about Theo James, feel free to get in touch with the team or Mark anytime. You can call us on 0191 511 1298.

    AI, Automation and the Future of Engineering Leadership
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About

Currently the Number 1 Manufacturing Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Mark Bracknall, Founder of Theo James Recruitment is the host of Manufacturing Leaders. The UK is still a powerhouse in Manufacturing & Engineering. We speak to those who are helping to make those firms a success. By motivating, inspiring and managing teams. Are you new to management? Are you keen to hear from those who are dealing with the same day-to-day challenges you are facing? In this podcast we get inside the minds of the Managers in Manufacturing & Engineering, and understand how they get the best our of their teams and make Manufacturing & Engineering great.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Bracknall
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Manufacturing Leaders
  • Show Website
    Manufacturing Leaders