Thank you for your interest in the Make UK Manufacturing Awards. We are pleased to announce that the Manufacturing Awards 2025 entries are now open – enter now for your opportunity to become a regional winner!
Entries will be closing on Friday 4 July 2025. Details about the Regional Awards Dinners will become available once the entry submission date has passed.
Please see below for the categories you can enter.
Apprentice Award Categories
Business Apprentice: Rising Star
Business Apprentice: Final Year
Engineering Apprentice: Rising Star
Engineering Apprentice: Final Year
Apprentice Endeavour Award
Business Award Categories
Business Growth and Strategy
Developing Future Talent
Energy and Sustainability
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Innovation
Manufacturing Impact Award
SME of the Region
To view our winners from 2024, please see below.
Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2024 Regional Winners
- North East, Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Dinner Winners
- North West Regional Dinner Winners
- Midlands and East Regional Dinner Winners
- South Regional Dinner Winners
- Wales Regional Dinner Winners
Make UK Manfacturing Awards 2024 National Winners
Manufacturing Awards Winner Interviews
Mark Capell, Lisi Aerospace
Q: Congratulations on being a 2024 Regional and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out your team had won?
A: Everybody was just blown away. Does it sound clichéd to say it was a career high point?
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to these awards?
A: I don't know if it was just luck or magic, but we put together an amazing team who pulled together and created all of the processes that won these awards.
Q: What's one benefit that's comes from winning?
A: When we do open days, a lot of people come in and joke that they've walked past the office a thousand times. Now they know what we do because the word's getting out there.
Q: Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Regional and National Dinners?
A: The dinners help paint a picture of what's going on in manufacturing in the UK. They really opened our eyes.
Q: What advice would you give to businesses that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: You need to put some effort into putting the application together, but it's a really useful process for reminding you of all the good things that you've done.
Jon Hurrell, Sellectronics Ltd
Q: Congratulations on being a 2024 Regional and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out your team had won?
A: We went with no preconceptions of winning so it was a fantastic surprise. We’re only a small company from Cornwall, and it was great to show what we’ve done down there.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to these awards?
A: We've been through huge changes in the last two years and that could have been a disaster. So I’m most proud of the team’s ability to deal with the amount of change.
Q: What's one benefit that's come from winning?
A: We were talking to a really big new customer who also happened to be up for a Make UK award. At the National Dinner they saw us win the award and within a few weeks we took their first order. It must have been fate.
Q: Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Regional and National Dinners?
A: Everybody’s excited, and everybody’s got a good story to tell.
Q: What advice would you give to businesses that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: It's good for PR, it's good for the team, but it's also a good benchmark to check whether you’re doing the right things compared to your peers.
Miriam Moore, Ideal Heating / Groupe Atlantic UK
Q: Congratulations on being a 2024 Regional and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out your team had won?
A: Quite relieved, as I put a lot of effort into the entry! Getting external validation makes a big difference.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to these awards?
A: I'm proud that we've had a counselling service for almost 35 years – which is unique in a male-dominated manufacturing industry.
Q: What's one benefit that's come from winning?
A: We received an awful lot of positive press. When we're recruiting, it's something that we shout about.
Q: Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Regional and National Dinners?
A: It was brilliant to talk to some of the nominations for apprentice awards at the National Awards. Hearing their experiences was really valuable.
Q: What advice would you give to businesses that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: Entering makes you reflect on things and think about what could be better. It's good for the soul to have a bit of judging sometimes.
Rob Sims, Safran Seats GB
Q: Congratulations on being a 2024 Wales and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out your team had won?
A: The joy of being recognised for our efforts is very rewarding.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to these awards?
A:We value the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce, and we continually look to make improvements which will benefit our team.
Q: What's one benefit that's come from winning?
A: Winning this award raises our profile and represents the UK in a positive light.
Q:Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Wales and National Dinners?
A:The events are a great occasion to network with other manufacturers and share best practices.
Q: What advice would you give to businesses that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: What have you got to lose? And it’s fun as well!
Molly Smith, AstraZeneca
Q: Congratulations to you on being a 2024 Regional and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out you had won?
A: When you hear the judges’ feedback and you're like, 'Oh, is this about me?’ It was the most exciting feeling.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to this award?
A: Working in pharmaceuticals, I’m proud that the work I do every day is developing medicines that will have a big impact on people's lives.
Q: What's one benefit that's come from winning?
A: The exposure. Being able to meet so many successful people, taking their advice, and being offered incredible opportunities.
Q: Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Regional and National Dinners?
A: We were all just really excited to hear so many amazing success stories. Everyone was super-passionate about why their business should win, but also really supportive of each other.
Q: What advice would you give to apprentices that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: There’s nothing to lose. One important skill for your career is learning to admit that you've done a really good job. Just tell people how amazing you are!
Georgia Trelore, BAE Systems Submarines
Q: Congratulations to you on being a 2024 Regional and National Award Winner! How did you feel when you found out you had won?
A: I was absolutely over the moon. It's so important to have confidence in yourself.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in the work that led to this award?
A:We have been able to take the lessons learned from previous submarine programmes and implement them into my equipment on the SSNA programme, improving safety and performance for the Royal Navy.
Q: What's one benefit that's come from winning?
A: It gave me the opportunity to apply and win sponsorship for the vocL Leader Programme, which is supporting me on my journey to becoming a leader within BAE Systems.
Q: Aside from winning, what else did you enjoy about attending the Regional and National Dinners?
A: The networking, the guest speakers, and the fantastic location on The Thames.
Q: What advice would you give to apprentices that are feeling unsure about entering?
A: Being comfortable in life and at work comes from being uncomfortable. Put yourself forward for challenges where you feel out of your depth, and become comfortable in that environment.