ASG Aerospace’s Mandy Ridyard Recognised in Make UK 130 Honours

ASG Aerospace’s Mandy Ridyard has been named among the Make UK 130 Honours, recognising her contribution to manufacturing leadership, regional business growth and national industrial policy.

The honours were created to mark Make UK’s 130th anniversary and recognise 130 people whose achievements, innovation, influence and leadership are helping to shape the future of UK manufacturing. Those selected span different regions, sectors and roles across the country.

Mandy’s recognition reflects a career that has combined manufacturing leadership with a prominent role in representing industry interests.

Make UK highlighted her “transformative leadership at ASG Produmax”, alongside her work as West Yorkshire’s Chief Business Adviser and her contribution to national manufacturing policy through the National Manufacturing Commission.

At ASG Produmax, part of ASG Aerospace, Mandy has played a central role in developing an advanced manufacturing business serving the aerospace sector from its West Yorkshire base.

Her work has also taken manufacturers' experience beyond the factory and into wider conversations about the conditions required for UK industry to invest, develop skills and compete internationally.

“Manufacturing has given me the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people and to see first-hand the capability that exists within UK industry,” said Mandy.

“To be included in the Make UK 130 Honours is a tremendous privilege. I see it as recognition of the teams and businesses I have worked alongside throughout my career, including the people at ASG Produmax and across ASG Aerospace.

“I am passionate about manufacturing and about making sure industry has a strong voice. We have an enormous amount of engineering knowledge and ambition across the UK, and there is a real opportunity to build on that through investment, skills and collaboration.”

The recognition comes during a significant year for Make UK, which is using its 130th anniversary to look at the contribution manufacturing makes to the UK and its future direction. The sector currently contributes around £220 billion to UK GDP and provides 2.6 million jobs, while accounting for 48 per cent of UK business research and development.

For ASG Aerospace, Mandy’s inclusion also reflects the calibre of manufacturing leadership found across the group and the role its businesses play within the wider aerospace supply chain.

ASG Produmax has itself earned industry recognition over a number of years, including being named Make UK’s SME of the Year in 2020.

Mandy added: “The strength of manufacturing comes from its people. Engineers, apprentices, production teams, business leaders and the wider supply chain all have a part to play in what the sector achieves.

“I’m proud to be part of that community and very proud to see the work taking place at ASG represented within Make UK’s 130th anniversary celebrations.”

The Make UK 130 Honours form part of a year of activity marking the organisation’s 130 years representing and supporting British manufacturing.