The managing director of a multi award-winning South Derbyshire engineering company has been named one of the country’s top 130 manufacturing leaders.
Luke Parker DL, managing director of Acres Engineering in Melbourne, said he was “honoured” to have been named one of Make UK’s top 130 leaders alongside heads of big-name companies such as Siemens, Toyota and Lush cosmetics.
The new honours initiative, launched in partnership with Barclays, recognises 130 people whose “leadership, expertise, innovation and commitment are helping to shape the future of UK manufacturing”, said Make UK – the country’s leading membership organisation for manufacturers.
Luke has been recognised for championing engineering, apprenticeships and community engagement, while supporting the development of future manufacturing talent.
He is joined on the top 130 list by Mo Constantine, co-founder of Lush and inventor of the bath bomb; Brian Holliday, chief executive officer of Siemens UK and Ireland, and Liam Holmes, senior advisor at Toyota.
Luke said: “I’m so honoured to have been named one of Make UK’s top 130 manufacturing leaders. There are some prestigious businesses on the list and to be named among them is a great privilege.
“At Acres we strive every day to help develop skills in manufacturing through our expertise and extensive training opportunities for all those who work for us.
“It’s testament to the hard work of the Acres team that our company here in Derbyshire has been recognised in this way.”
Acres Engineering has won considerable recognition for its ‘People’s Pledge’ – a commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for people to work in the manufacturing sector.
Last year the company won the Manufacturing Impact award at Make UK’s National Manufacturing Awards, and this year was crowned with Royal recognition with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity.
Over the last ten years Acres, which employs around 30 people in the UK, has provided more than 100 opportunities to work in the engineering sector through apprenticeships and work placements.
Every year the company shuts down the factory to host primary and secondary school children to find out all about the life of an engineer on National Manufacturing Day, a campaign from Make UK. This year Acres welcomed more than 100 pupils from seven Derbyshire schools.
With Acres an Armed Forces Gold Covenant holder, Luke’s deep-rooted commitment to supporting the armed forces extends to a recent new voluntary role chairing the Derbyshire County Employer Engagement Group (CEEG) – dedicated to helping businesses support veterans, cadets and reservists.
Barclays’ latest Business Prosperity Index found that 94 per cent of manufacturers are confident about the prosperity of their business over the next 12 months.
Make UK research shows 99 per cent of manufacturers believe access to skills will shape their future growth plans, while half say skills shortages are their biggest barrier to growth.
Across the UK there are still around 47,000 manufacturing vacancies still unfilled.
Chris Corkan, Make UK’s region director for Midlands & East of England, said: “The East Midlands is home to some of the most innovative and resilient manufacturers in the country, with businesses and people driving advances in everything from automotive and healthcare to engineering and advanced technologies.
“The individuals recognised through the 130 Honours on National Manufacturing Day reflect the very best of that talent, showing the leadership, ambition and commitment that will help the region continue to grow and inspire the next generation of manufacturers.”
Tom Horton, National Head of Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Barclays, said:
“We are proud to partner with Make UK to support the 130 Honours initiative and to join them in celebrating some of the industry’s great leaders. Manufacturing is at the heart of the UK economy, powered by skilled people, innovative businesses and resilient supply chains that keep the country moving. Recognising the sector’s contribution is both important and well deserved.”
