Cumbrian manufacturers are increasingly developing teams of Digital Champions to help drive digital transformation, with three businesses from the latest Made Smarter North West cohort investing in multiple employees to lead change.

Acrastyle, the Ulverston manufacturer of high-voltage substation protection and control equipment, enrolled Mechanical Engineer Mike Bould and Design Engineer James Tyson.

Pure Lakes Skincare, based near Hawkshead, developed Production Manager Jenny Morris and Operations colleague Sacha Ceansu, while Ginger Bakers enrolled owner Lisa Smith alongside Bakery Manager Lisa Spink.

Mike Bould, Mechanical Engineer at Acrastyle, said: “The programme has given us a clearer framework for turning ideas into action.

“It’s given me greater confidence to contribute to improvement projects and play a more active role in helping drive change across the company.”

Jenny Morris, Production Manager at Pure Lakes Skincare, said: “We’re now at the stage where we need to bring more people with us on the journey.

“Having colleagues on the programme means we can continue those conversations back in the business, share ideas and work together on the best way to engage the wider team and build momentum for change.”

Lisa Smith, Owner of Ginger Bakers, said: “Attending alongside a colleague was particularly valuable because it created accountability.

“We both came away with a shared understanding of what we wanted to achieve and the steps needed to get there.”

The latest cohort reflects a wider trend across the Government-backed programme, with around one in three manufacturers now choosing to develop more than one Digital Champion to create shared ownership of digital transformation.

Firpress, the Workington commercial printer, has gone even further, developing four Digital Champions through the programme.

Since 2023, the Leading Change for Digital Champions (LCDC) initiative has upskilled 106 employees from 73 manufacturing businesses across 12 cohorts.

Participants have ranged from production operatives and engineers to aspiring managers, creating a growing network of digital change-makers across the North West.

LCDC equips people with practical tools through workshops, coaching and a visit to Amazon’s fulfilment centre.

Graduates also become part of a growing Digital Champions Network, meeting twice a year to share experiences, learn from fellow manufacturers and connect with industry experts and Made Smarter advisers.

Ruth Hailwood, Head of Organisation and Workforce Development at Made Smarter North West, said: “It’s encouraging to see more manufacturers empowering people across their organisations because successful digital transformation happens when people have the confidence and skills to lead change and when you build capability across the business. 

“By developing teams who can support one another, share ideas and engage colleagues, businesses are far better placed to embed new technologies and create a culture of continuous improvement.

“The programme is also creating a powerful peer network across the North West, giving manufacturers the opportunity to learn from one another, share experiences and realise that many of the challenges they face are common across the sector.”

Manufacturers from the latest cohort say the initiative has given them the confidence, structure and shared understanding to lead digital transformation, demonstrating the value of developing Digital Champions alongside colleagues.

LCDC complements Made Smarter’s Leading Digital Transformation programme for senior leaders by equipping the wider workforce to put strategy into practice, reflecting the belief that lasting change must flow through an entire organisation.

The next LCDC cohort begins in September, with workshops taking place on the 22nd and 29th.

To register your interest, or to find out more about the full range of support available through Made Smarter North West, including grants and Digital Internships, visit www.madesmarter.uk