Over 150 of Northern Ireland’s senior and aspiring manufacturing leaders gathered at the Anchor High Leadership Summit on May 29 at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast, bringing a powerful and purposeful close to Manufacturing Month for 2025.
Delivered by Manufacturing NI, the flagship event convened business leaders, policy makers, and economic experts for a day of insight, inspiration, and industry ambition. From navigating the global economic landscape to exploring emerging models of business ownership, and green supply chains to what the factories of the future might look like, the Summit offered a platform for forward-thinking leadership and bold ideas, featuring an ‘in conversation’ style keynote with former Tánaiste, Simon Coveney.
Stephen Kelly, CEO, Manufacturing NI, said:
“This year’s Manufacturing Month has been a huge success, and we are delighted to conclude it with our best-attended Anchor High Leadership Summit to date.”
“Throughout the month, we have ensured manufacturing’s importance to the Northern Ireland economy is understood, with the sector accounting for 13.4% of total economic output and directly employing over 100,000 people.”
“Manufacturing already boxes above its weight in Northern Ireland, but there’s no reason why it can’t go even further with the right leadership across the sector. We hope Summit attendees will go away from today inspired to embrace new ideas and take on new challenges.”
As the Summit concluded, celebrations carried into the evening with the prestigious Manufacturing NI Hall of Fame Awards Dinner – recognising those whose leadership, contribution, and legacy have shaped Northern Ireland’s manufacturing landscape and enriched local communities.
The 2025 Manufacturing NI Hall of Fame Inductees were:
- Patricia Clements, Managing Director, Bradfor
- Joanne Liddle, Managing Director, IPC Mouldings
- Brian McConville CBE, Chair, MJM Group / Rathbane Group
Stephen Kelly continued:
“The Hall of Fame represents the very best of Northern Ireland manufacturing – leaders who have not only built outstanding businesses, but who have lifted those around them, created opportunities, and contributed meaningfully to their local communities.”
Manufacturing Month 2025 was sponsored by some of Northern Ireland’s leading companies and organisations including the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), Barclays, KPMG, Mills Selig, Reliance, Vickerstock, Carbonfit, Go Succeed NI, and Belfast Harbour.