Report calls inclusive leadership a moral imperative and strategic necessity 

A report, released as part of the Women in Manufacturing initiative, has found that women’s share of the manufacturing workforce is on the rise but has urged business leaders to act now to attract and retain diverse talent. 

The Women in UK Manufacturing 2025: Leading with Inclusion report was launched at the Women in Manufacturing conference, held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. It has underscored the importance of embedding fairness, equity and diversity across the sector; emphasising that inclusive leadership is both a moral imperative and strategic necessity for competitiveness and resilience. 

Founded in 2022, Women in Manufacturing is dedicated to improving gender balance in UK manufacturing. A collaboration between the Institute for Manufacturing (University of Cambridge), the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Innovate UK Business Connect, its mission is to increase women’s representation in manufacturing to 35% by 2035.  

The report reveals that women’s share of the manufacturing workforce has risen to 28.4%, with representation in senior roles reaching 24.8%. However, with nearly a quarter of the workforce expected to retire within the next decade, the report urges leaders to act now to attract and retain diverse talent. It outlines guiding principles for inclusive leadership to help organisations embed these practices effectively. 

Dr Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete, Principal Policy Analyst at IfM Engage and lead author of the report, said: 

Inclusive leadership is about seeing potential where others see difference. When we lead with inclusion, we don’t just open doors for women – we open pathways for innovation, competitiveness, and a stronger manufacturing future for the UK.

Katherine Bennett CBE, HVM Catapult CEO, said: 

In an increasingly complex and polarised world, the values of equality, diversity and inclusion are more important than ever – not as optional ideals, but as essential drivers of innovation, resilience and long-term growth. The momentum we see today, backed by evidence and leadership, is a clear signal: inclusive leadership is not a soft skill – it is a competitive advantage. I am proud that, through initiatives like Women in Manufacturing, we are building a stronger, more diverse future for UK manufacturing.

Now in its third year, the Women in Manufacturing conference, brought together industry participants to share practical strategies for closing the gender gap and promoting inclusive leadership. It attracted over 200 delegates and featured keynote talks, panel discussions, interactive carousel sessions and networking opportunities. Speakers included: Rebecca Schapira, Deputy Director, Advanced Manufacturing, Department for Business and Trade; Gary Sheader, Founder and Managing Director, The Manufacturers’ Alliance; Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO, Male Allies UK; and Jennifer Griffith, Project Lead, Net Zero Skills, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. 

While women comprise nearly half of the UK workforce, they make up only 28% of the manufacturing workforce. Aligned with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan adopts Women in Manufacturing’s “35 by 35” vision — targeting 35% female representation in manufacturing by 2035. Women in Manufacturing has helped shape this national ambition by providing evidence, insight, and practical pathways for change through our research, industry partnerships, and advisory work.

‘Women in UK Manufacturing 2025: Leading with Inclusion’ tracks women’s participation in the workforce, explores barriers to progress and offers practical actions for creating workplaces where all employees can thrive. The report is authored by Dr Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete (IfM Engage), Valeria Ramirez (IfM, University of Cambridge), Eun Sun (University of Wolverhampton), Rose Sargent (Make UK), and Samia Mahmood (University of Wolverhampton). 

Download the report here.