Thank you for your interest in The Manufacturer Top 100.
After 12 successful years of recognising outstanding individuals through the Top 100, we’re excited to announce the next evolution of the programme.
The Manufacturer Top 100 will now join forces with The Manufacturer MX Awards – bringing together individual and organisational recognition within one expanded and more powerful platform.
This marks the creation of a truly comprehensive celebration of excellence in UK manufacturing. By uniting the legacy of the Top 100 with the depth and rigour of the MX Awards, we are creating a flagship programme that recognises not only world-class businesses, but also the exceptional people driving transformation within them.
We look forward to your continued support as we build the UK’s most authoritative and far-reaching manufacturing awards programme – one that shines an even brighter spotlight on the individuals and organisations shaping the future of our sector.
Be among the first to explore the new categories and receive updates by registering your interest for The Manufacturer MX Awards 2026.
The Manufacturer Top 100
The Manufacturer Top 100 scoured the length and breadth of the nation to find the 100 most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing, nominated by The Manufacturer’s audience, the industrial community and judged by a panel of industry leaders, academics and manufacturing associations.
The Manufacturer Top 100 celebrates the heroes of UK manufacturing and recognises their contribution to Net Zero, Digital Transformation, Innovation and Leadership. We shine a spotlight on Unsung Heroes, Sector Activists and the Young Pioneers making an impact in the industry disproportionate to their years.
Award Categories
Digital Transformer
An individual who has made a significant impact within their organisation’s journey towards digital transformation. A champion and adopter of digital technologies that has helped move the business from an analogue past to a digital future, and in turn has increased productivity and decreased costs.
Innovator
Someone who embraces change in order to improve outcomes, and who is able to bring their team along with them. They constantly seek to improve products, processes and/or team-working in service of the customer and the business.
Inspiring Leader
A figure head who has created wealth and stable employment at a UK-based manufacturer, while remaining committed to developing the value of their manufacturing business through people, processes and technology.
Net Zero Hero
Someone who has been instrumental in inspiring their company to step up to the sustainability challenge and is driving the journey towards net zero within their organisation – shining a beacon on sustainability in the workplace and influencing a real positive change around the green agenda.
Sector Activist
Unlike other categories in the Top 100, this award recognises someone from outside the sector. A non-manufacturer, but an individual who is nonetheless making a positive contribution to support and promote the industry, and the collaboration and integration needed, to enable people in the sector to do their jobs better. Whether that be working for RTOs, training organisations, catapults, universities or other supporting entities.
Unsung Hero
Someone who is instrumental in facilitating the success of those around them and the success of the business as a whole. They are the constants that provide support and knowledge both downwards and upwards within the professional hierarchy.
Young Pioneer
A person who has made an impact disproportionate to their years, providing inspiration for the future of manufacturing in the UK. We’re looking for trailblazers with a bright future that will be the leaders of tomorrow.