Statement from AMF Chair Richard Swart on WOMEN Forum
The AMF are delighted to launch this new initiative supporting women in manufacturing and engineering, the brainchild of our rising star directors Rachel Skeoch and Rachel Mansfield, both of whom will also lead it.
The AMF has had a great influx of new members over the years and we encourage you to join us if you are not already a member.
The AMF is a membership network that brings together the region’s manufacturing and engineering community to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business growth like no other,
There is real business benefit through our offerings, which include: networking and collaboration; knowledge exchange and best practice; growth support; education and outreach; academic partnerships and many others.
In short, the AMF is a pivotal force in North East England’s manufacturing and engineering ecosystem—supporting businesses through networking, guidance, innovation, and outreach. Whether you’re a manufacturer, academic, or aspiring engineer, involvement with AMF offers valuable opportunities for growth and connection.
We have a particularly important role regarding women.
When we think about British manufacturing, we might picture the great factories of the Industrial Revolution, shipyards in Glasgow and the North East, or the automotive plants of the Midlands. But here’s something we often overlook—women have always been part of that story. From the munitions workers of World War I, to the engineers designing aerospace components today, women have played a vital role in shaping the nation’s industrial strength.
And yet, here in the UK, women still make up less than a quarter of the manufacturing workforce. That’s not just a gender imbalance—it’s an economic opportunity we’re missing. In a sector facing a skills shortage, tapping into the full potential of our population is not optional, it’s essential.
Manufacturing in Britain is no longer just about heavy industry—it’s about advanced technology, robotics, and precision engineering. These are fields where skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation matter just as much as physical strength. The truth is that diverse teams perform better. Research consistently shows that gender balance in leadership and technical roles drives creativity, improves productivity, and boosts profitability.
But beyond the statistics, this is about visibility. When young girls in Leeds, Belfast, Cardiff, or Edinburgh or the broad North East see women operating CNC machinery, leading production lines, or managing supply chains, they see that manufacturing is not just “for someone else.” They see themselves.
So, what do we need to do? We must invest in STEM education and apprenticeships that actively encourage female participation. We must create mentoring networks so women entering the sector feel supported and can see a clear career path. And we must champion the women already in manufacturing—celebrating their successes as loudly as we celebrate our exports.
British manufacturing is part of our national identity—but its future depends on fresh thinking and a workforce that reflects the diversity of our country. Let’s make sure women are not just included, but leading the charge, helping us build the high-tech, high-value manufacturing Britain needs to thrive in the decades ahead.
The AMF fully embraces this critical challenge and urges all to join with us.
