BAE Systems’ Iain Minton to chair new manufacturing and tech coalition

Above: (left to right) Dawn Huntrod (Make UK), Iain Minton (BAE Systems), Shiby Bernard (McMenon Engineering Services) and Luke Walsh (Brainboxes).
Courtesy Made Smarter

Iain Minton, Technology Capability Delivery Director at BAE Systems Air, will lead the strengthened industry steering group behind Made Smarter North West’s £2.5 million Government-backed technology adoption programme.

The group brings together leaders from aerospace, advanced manufacturing, industrial technology and engineering to help guide support for SMEs navigating rapid industrial change and increasing global competition.

The move comes at a time when manufacturers across aerospace and defence supply chains are under growing pressure to improve productivity, strengthen resilience, reduce costs and accelerate digital transformation.

The steering group includes representatives from businesses including Siemens, Brainboxes, Sustainable Smart Technologies, McMenon Engineering Services and BEP Surface Technologies, alongside national and regional industry bodies.

Unlike many industry panels, several of the SME manufacturers helping shape the programme have first-hand experience of implementing industrial digital technologies within their own operations, helping ensure support remains practical and commercially relevant.

Since launching in 2019, Made Smarter North West has supported more than 2,400 manufacturers, developed 550 digital roadmaps, delivered 250 leadership and digital champions training interventions, and placed 85 digital interns into businesses.

Manufacturers supported through the programme have secured more than £8.1 million in matched funding, unlocking over £28.3 million of investment in technologies ranging from AI and ERP systems to robotics, automation and additive manufacturing.

Together, these investments are helping create more than 1,900 jobs, upskill almost 3,500 roles, and contribute £287 million to the North West economy.

Iain Minton, who has spent more than 30 years in aerospace engineering, said manufacturers must not be left behind as industrial technology evolves. He said: “The North West has a strong manufacturing heritage, a real spirit of innovation and many outstanding companies that consistently punch above their weight.

“I’m proud to chair a group of industry leaders who share the same ambition: to help strengthen the region’s manufacturing base and ensure more businesses are aware of the support and opportunities available through Made Smarter, so they can better understand and adopt technologies such as automation, robotics and AI in ways that genuinely make a difference to their business.”

Dawn Huntrod, Regional Membership Director (North) at Make UK, said: “Joining the Made Smarter North West steering group was important, not only to support manufacturers on their digitalisation journey, but also to bring their real-world experiences, barriers and ambitions into the heart of the programme.

“Manufacturers across the North are under growing pressure to improve productivity, strengthen digital skills and stay globally competitive, but many SMEs still see digital transformation as too costly, complex or out of reach.

“Made Smarter plays a vital role in helping manufacturers cut through that uncertainty by giving them practical support, trusted advice and the confidence to take the next step.”

The refreshed steering group will help shape the future direction of the programme, which offers leadership training, digital skills, technology advice and match-funded grants of up to £20,000.

Other members of the Made Smarter North West steering group include representatives from Accenture, Arden Dies, Firstplay Dietary Foods, Qualkem, Mpac Group, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.