Fourth Women in Manufacturing UK Conference puts spotlight on flexible working

The Women in Manufacturing UK (WiM UK) Conference 2026 brought together more than 250 representatives from across the manufacturing sector on 21 October at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry and online to share ideas, experiences and practical approaches to improving gender balance in the industry.

Under the theme Shifting the balance: flexing the future, the conference explored how manufacturers can rethink traditional ways of working, challenge stereotypes and create environments where more people can participate, progress and thrive.

A major highlight was the launch of the new Women in Manufacturing UK report, Time to flex: Building flexible manufacturing workplaces, which examines how greater workplace flexibility can help manufacturers address skills shortages, improve employee wellbeing and retain valuable talent.

New research highlights the value of flexible working

A major highlight was the launch of the new Women in Manufacturing UK report, Time to flex: Building flexible manufacturing workplaces, which examines how greater workplace flexibility can help manufacturers address skills shortages, improve employee wellbeing and retain valuable talent.

The report, led by researchers at the Institute for Manufacturing, draws on national workforce data, a survey of 83 manufacturing employees, a focus group and industry case studies.

Its findings highlight the importance of flexibility in retaining manufacturing talent. More than half (56%) of survey respondents said access to flexible working was very or extremely important to their decision to remain in their current job, while 11% said it had enabled them to stay in manufacturing. In addition, 57% reported improved work-life balance and 40% said flexibility had reduced stress or fatigue.

The research challenges the assumption that flexible working is primarily about working from home. Instead, it highlights opportunities for manufacturers to introduce arrangements such as flexible start and finish times, compressed hours, job sharing, more predictable shift patterns and alternative approaches to scheduling.

Dr Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete, Principal Policy Analyst at Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy and lead author of the report, said: “Flexible working in manufacturing is much broader than working from home. It is about looking carefully at when, where and how work is organised, and asking where people can have greater choice without compromising operational performance. Our research suggests that relatively small changes can make a meaningful difference to whether people join, stay and progress in the sector.”

Turning research into practical action

Throughout the conference, speakers and contributors from leading manufacturing organisations explored how more inclusive working practices can support both people and business performance.

In a keynote video address, Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Reindustrialisation), reflected on key findings from the Women in Manufacturing report, reinforcing the importance of evidence-led action in driving meaningful change across the sector.

Representatives from organisations including Arla Foods, Molson Coors, John Smedley, GE Vernova, HEINEKEN UK and Beko Europe contributed industry perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Discussions covered breaking workplace stereotypes, building high-performing teams, attracting more women into manufacturing and the role of allyship in creating inclusive cultures.

A particular focus was on translating ideas into practical action, with industry examples demonstrating how manufacturers can adapt approaches to flexibility to suit different operational environments.

Interactive carousel sessions gave delegates opportunities to explore practical approaches in greater depth through LEGO® Serious Play®, local and national showcases, discussions on workplace flexibility and allyship, and short talks from mission-aligned organisations including STEM Returners, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and Enginuity.

With dedicated networking breaks and a closing drinks reception, the conference also offered plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas, make new connections and share experiences with others committed to creating a more inclusive future for manufacturing.

Addressing manufacturing’s gender inbalance

The conference took place against a backdrop of continued challenges in improving women’s representation in UK manufacturing.

Women accounted for 28.2% of the manufacturing workforce in 2025, compared with 28.4% in 2024. However, progress continued in some traditionally male-dominated occupations, with women’s representation reaching 27.3% among managers, directors and senior officials, 28.7% in professional occupations and 10.4% in skilled trades.

These figures underline the importance of sustained action to achieve WiM UK’s ambition of increasing women’s representation in manufacturing to 35% by 2035.

The conference reinforced the need for collaboration between manufacturers, researchers, policymakers and industry organisations to remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for women at every stage of their careers.

Kate Willsher, Chief Operating Officer at IfM Engage, said:
“What makes this conference valuable is the opportunity to bring people from across manufacturing together to learn from one another and turn good ideas into practical action.”

Building a more inclusive future for manufacturing

Organised by Women in Manufacturing UK, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Innovate UK Business Connect, the conference provided a platform for sharing knowledge, building connections and exploring practical steps towards a more inclusive manufacturing sector.

The discussions and new research highlighted that improving workforce diversity is not only about attracting more women into manufacturing, but also about creating working environments that enable people to stay, develop their skills and progress into leadership roles.

Delegates reflect on an inspiring day

Feedback from delegates reflected the enthusiasm, optimism and sense of shared purpose that ran throughout the conference.

One attendee described it as “a fantastic day, very well structured with some great examples of innovation”, adding: “It was clear there is a great and growing passion to improve things and also that it really is possible to do so… lots of consensus on the need to challenge the tradition, ensure we are data-led and that as organisations we need to commit and collaborate.”

Another delegate said the conference had left them “energised and enthusiastic about our fab manufacturing sector”, while a third commented: “I absolutely loved the day. If you get a chance to go next year – do.”

For one attendee, the event offered a particularly powerful reminder of what a more inclusive manufacturing sector could mean for future generations: “My heart is so FULL of hope and inspiration for the future… for the industry, for the children with more options than we ever had, for the little girls who see engineering or manufacturing as a career choice and it actually being possible, for the women who are one step closer to sitting on the boards.”

The feedback captured a key message from the day: that meaningful change is possible when organisations share ideas, challenge established practices and work together to create a more inclusive future for manufacturing.