Universities partner with Made Smarter to deliver digital leadership programme for SME manufacturers

The universities have been named as delivery partners for Made Smarter’s Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme , a government-funded, industry-led initiative accelerating digital transformation across the North West’s manufacturing sector.

This fast-track programme is designed to transform business owners and senior managers into digitally informed, empowered leaders, armed with a bespoke digitalisation strategy tailored to their organisation.

Since its launch in 2023, the LDT programme has supported 54 participants in developing the skills to adopt and implement cutting-edge technologies within their operations. This builds on the success of Made Smarter’s earlier leadership initiative, which equipped 62 business leaders with essential digital capabilities between 2019 and 2023.

Participants to date span a wide range of sectors - from aerospace, food and precision engineering - and roles, including business owners, managers, designers, and production operatives.

Now, with additional funding secured, the programme aims to expand its delivery to another 40 companies across two cohorts over the coming year.

This expansion will enable more SME leaders across Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and the Liverpool City Region to gain the insights and tools needed to integrate advanced, digitally driven manufacturing techniques into their processes. The programme also explores the organisational culture shift required for successful digital adoption, focusing on engaging employees and stakeholders in the transformation journey.

In a statement, Dr Ann Mulhaney, Associate Professor of Change Management at Salford University, who’s leading their cohort, said: “Securing the rollout of this innovative programme further strengthens the University of Salford’s reputation for delivering impactful, world-class business leadership development.  

“We are proud to partner with Made Smarter and Manchester Metropolitan University to support a new wave of ambitious SMEs as they embark on their digital transformation journeys.”

Manchester Metropolitan University’s Centre for Enterprise will once again be delivering a Made Smarter cohort, bringing together teams at the Centre and PrintCity, a 3D additive and digital manufacturing centre, home to manufacturing experts, designers, engineers and students. 

Professor Jennie Shorley, Academic Director at the Centre for Enterprise, commented: “Being on board for another year delivering on the Made Smarter programme is fantastic news for the SME community in the region. Our proven strengths in enabling businesses to not just develop their innovations, but create sustainable solutions that are embedded across the organisations means that we are helping to ensure the region’s economic strengths for years to come."

With each cohort delivered over three months, LDT offers a blended learning experience, including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, real-life case studies, and visits to technology demonstrators at both universities. Participants will experience Salford’s NERIC (North of England Robotics Innovation Centre), a facility for robotics and automation specialisms including robotics for intelligent infrastructure, digital automation, and supply chain improvement, in addition to visiting PrintCity and Manchester Met’s newly launched Robotics Living Lab. 

Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s Lead Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist , added: “The Leading Digital Transformation programme has been a major success, equipping over 100 regional leaders with the tools and insight needed to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies in their businesses.  

“This programme gives manufacturers the space to step back, reflect, and develop a digital strategy tailored to their needs. By placing people at the heart of digital transformation, we’re enabling meaningful change and long-term success.”