Want to know about Engineers Insight? Click Here: What’s Engineers Insight? Click here to find out: www.app.engineersinsight.co.uk

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - Yaskawa UK & Ireland! Yaskawa are a world leading manufacturer of Robots, Drives and Servos, with sales & service offices in England and Ireland and a manufacturing site in Scotland. They even trademarked the term "Mechatronics" in 1972!

You can find the latest technologies that Yaskawa has to offer, here: https://www.yaskawa.co.uk/

This week I sit with Iain McLean, Director of Curious Head Media, the owners of the Sustainable Food Factory & Food + Beverage Engineering shows, based out of Derby Arena on the 11th June.

If you're interested in visiting you can register for free here: https://foodandbeverageengineering.live/

Upcoming Exhibitions:

National Manufacturing Supply Chain, RDS Simmonscourt Dublin 28th & 29th May - https://manufacturingevent.com/

Robotics & Automation, MTC Coventry 17th & 18th June - https://www.the-mtc.org/robotics-and-automation-2025

Sustainable Industry Summit, Science & Industry Museum Manchester 26th June - https://sustainableindustry.co.uk/register-summer-summit-2025

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Iain McLean - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-mclean1/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight

https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a

https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight

https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - Enginuity! Enginuity is dedicated to closing the skills gap in UK engineering and manufacturing, creating a thriving and more productive sector that is at the forefront of delivering solutions to society’s greatest challenges. You can join the Enginuity Alliance, if you're serious about closing the skills gap and inspiring the next generation of manufacturing, here: https://enginuity.org/the-alliance

In this episode, I sit down with Tony Ryan, CEO of the Design and Technology Association, to talk about inspiring the next generation through creative, hands-on learning.

Tony shares his incredible journey — from training as a car mechanic, to accidentally stepping into teaching, and then building a 33-year career in education, including 19 years as a deputy head and headteacher.

Today, he leads an association supporting over 33,000 teachers, creating lesson materials that ignite creativity and give real-world context to subjects like Maths, Physics, and Engineering.

Discover why Design & Technology education is critical for shaping future innovators — and why creativity matters more than ever in today's world.

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Automation UK, CBS Arena 7th-8th May - https://forms.reg.buzz/automation-uk-2025/engineers-insight?utm_source=engineersinsight.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=auk2025

National Manufacturing & Supply Chain, RDS Simmonscourt Dublin 28th & 29th May - https://manufacturingevent.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Tony Ryan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/design-technology-association/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight

https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a

https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight

https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - Beckhoff Automation Beckhoff implements open automation systems using proven PC-based control technology, find out more at this link: https://www.beckhoff.co.uk/?mtm_campaign=Engineers%20Insight&mtm_kwd=podcast%20link

Jordan Tassell is Head of Marine & Ports at Iconsys, a prominent systems integrator based in Telford, UK. We talk everything from starting on the tills in a supermarket, loneliness in lockdown, how to deal with adversity and what his future holds.

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Automation UK CBS Arena, Coventry 7th-8th May - https://forms.reg.buzz/automation-uk-2025/engineers-insight?utm_source=engineersinsight.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=auk2025

I'll be hosting 2 panels at the event: 1. How to attract and retain talent. 2. Learnings from SME's that have automated.

National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Exhibition and Conference 2025 RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin 28th & 29th May - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/national-manufacturing-supply-chain-exhibition-and-conference-2025-tickets-921562968647?aff=MailchimpMailerA

Connect with us both on LinkedIn:

Jordan Tassell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-tassell/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - Enginuity! Enginuity is dedicated to closing the skills gap in UK engineering and manufacturing, creating a thriving and more productive sector that is at the forefront of delivering solutions to society’s greatest challenges.

You can join the Enginuity Alliance, if you're serious about closing the skills gap and inspiring the next generation of manufacturing, here: https://enginuity.org/the-alliance

Jamie Ashpole started JJA Pack installing and fixing chocolate machines. He now uses his experience, and his own chocolate line to inspire kids into manufacturing! His 14 year old twins are also involved in the business, delivering workshops and becoming the face of the JJA Snack brand, now called JJA Kids.

Upcoming Exhibitions: Automation UK, CBS Arena 7th-8th May - https://forms.reg.buzz/automation-uk-2025/engineers-insight?utm_source=engineersinsight.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=auk2025

National Manufacturing Supply Chain, RDS Simmonscourt Dublin 28th & 29th May - https://manufacturingevent.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: Jamie Ashpole - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-ashpole-3a553373/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight

https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a

https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight

https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - STRAKT! Every organisation has a strategy, but most struggle to turn it into action. Strakt helps companies understand how do to that through coaching and training, helping companies achieve amazing levels of performance.

https://www.strakt.co?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=click&utm_id=EngineersInsight

Sam Baynham is the founder of ConeX Portal, an online portal for SME's, built out of frustration with the lack of support for small and medium size businesses in the UK. Sam opens up on the difficulties of being a sole founder, 'work/life balance' and dealing with a health scare whilst trying to scale.

Upcoming Exhibitions: National Manufacturing Summit, MTC 27th February - https://nmsummit.co.uk/

Automation UK, CBS Arena 7th-8th May - https://forms.reg.buzz/automation-uk-2025/engineers-insight?utm_source=engineersinsight.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=auk2025

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Sam Baynham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/collaborate-and-connect-sam-baynham-manufacturer-supplier-leads/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - Beckhoff Automation Beckhoff implements open automation systems using proven PC-based control technology, find out more at this link: https://www.beckhoff.co.uk/?mtm_campaign=Engineers%20Insight&mtm_kwd=podcast%20link

Mike Wilson is Chief Automation Officer at The MTC and Chairman of the UK Automation Forum. Mike has spent his whole career advocating for the adoption of robotics in UK manufacturing, working for the global brands and taking board positions at trade associations like Automate UK and MTA.

Mike was also the chairman of the International Federation of Robotics in 2000 so the perfect question was "has anything changed since then".

Upcoming Exhibitions: Packaging Innovations & Empack, NEC 12th & 13th February - https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2c1uzfj70hoi6?actioncode=NTWO000488IPS&partner-contact=0dsfc0u8f2c34

National Manufacturing Summit, MTC 27th February - https://nmsummit.co.uk/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Mike Wilson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-wilson-robotautomation/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Automate UK - https://www.automate-uk.com/

UK Automation Forum - https://www.ukautomationforum.com/

Follow our other channels here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

Huge thank you to this episode sponsor - AMFG!

To find out what they do and book your free demo, click here > https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/3116xnZqxHK4FW5cyjtDEVdvElnqzl0waCBl70uFrYHkZpcTPb4gVT4ttJArAkmCD

Matt Foster is Sales Director at Wynne Consulting - a recruitment firm operating in the UK manufacturing space for over 20 years. We discussed Matt's life, his upbringing, challenges in industry and the important question - why do we all hate recruiters so much?

Upcoming Exhibitions: Packaging Innovations & Empack, NEC - https://www.packagingbirmingham.com/ Southern Manufacturing, Farnborough - https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/00mf6xsmh61zw?actioncode=1102 National Manufacturing Summit, MTC - https://nmsummit.co.uk/

Matthew Foster - https://www.linkedin.com/in/automationsalesjobs/

Thomas Flude - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/

Follow our other channels here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-insight

https://open.spotify.com/show/1TwRe6ftyAn0v4egXaViRL?si=1e76a110c3814e6a https://www.tiktok.com/@engineersinsight https://www.instagram.com/engineersinsight/@UC3XKV2QJWll_VCLuNYacPPg

I had the pleasure of spending an hour with Guy Collins, "Head Honcho" at BPX Electro Mechanical Co. Ltd, discussing life at BPX, how he manages his time, how to build and maintain a culture as a business grows, and how he feels about legacy. Unfortunately my camera fails to autofocus for the last 20 minutes - apologies.

Upcoming Exhibitions for 2025: MTC, Coventry - Manufacturing Technology 2Day - https://manufacturingtechnology2day.com/ Packaging Innovations & Empack, NEC - https://www.packagingbirmingham.com/

Guy Collins - / guy-collins-76001910

Thomas Flude - / thomas-flude-engineersinsight