B2Be Different - Engineering your brand for success

In this episode on sustainability, I spoke to Justine Scullion from Circulus, a circular economy business focused on electronics, about how repair and reuse extends product life and saves money, how much of the engineering and manufacturing sector still uses a linear take-make-dispose model, and why you need to build sustainability into employee KPIs across the business.B2Be DifferentCirculus

In this episode on skills, I spoke with Jim Fowlie from Sensor-Works and chair of the Training Working Group at the AEMT, about why younger people don't always know what engineering opportunities are available to them, how networking and exposure to different engineering activities can shape careers, why smaller companies struggle to train new talent, and the critical role that professional associations play in connecting the next generation with mentorship and real-world possibilities.B2Be DifferentAEMTSensor-Works

I was really excited about speaking to this week’s guest as she was highly recommended by Keri Craig in our first sustainability episode (that’s episode 3). I spoke to Jane Dennyson, founder of Thrive Consulting about how ESG credentials are now baked into tendering requirements, why measurement and evidence are essential to avoid greenwashing accusations, and how sustainability is fundamentally about making businesses more competitive, resilient and successful rather than just a nice to do.Some more information about legislation Jane mentioned: 1 - UK CBAM will apply to certain carbon-intensive imported goods from 1 January 2027 and aims to create a comparable carbon price, not a general tax on all products. 2- EU CBAM is already in its transitional phase, with the definitive period from 1 January 2026. UK CBAM starts 1 January 2027. 3- The Clean Industry Bonus is specifically tied to fixed and floating offshore wind applicants under CfD allocation rounds. It supports investment in more sustainable supply chains, not simply “use UK suppliers”. Government guidance says applicants can get extra CfD revenue support if they invest in more sustainable supply chains. 4-UK SRS exists now; FCA rules are expected from 1 January 2027 for listed issuers, subject to final FCA policy. It will not apply to every company immediately.B2Be DifferentJane's LinkedInThrive ConsultingEpisode 3 - where Keri sang Jane's praises

In this episode Samantha spoke to Josh Robertson, founder of Engineer a Career and host of the Engineer a Career podcast, about why he sees the skills gap as a breakdown in the system between sparking the engineering mindset in schools and getting people into industry, why a third of engineering graduates don't work in engineering, and how organisations can build their talent pipeline by engaging with students earlier and showing authentic stories about their people.B2Be DifferentEngineer a CareerThe Engineer a Career podcast

In this episode, Samantha shared her research findings on the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing through third-party reports and from all of the expert guests we have spoken to about the skills gap during this series. She also announced our full-day event in Edinburgh on 2nd June in partnership with CeeD to explore collaborative solutions to this critical challenge.CeeD event on the 2nd June in EdinburghLinks to research referenced in this podcast:Scottish Engineering skills reportMake UK Industrial Strategy Skills Commission, Skills for Success: The Reforms Essential to Our Economic FutureBarclays Corporate Banking / The Manufacturer, Now Hiring: Understanding and Tackling the Skills Shortage in UK ManufacturingFabian Society / Youth Futures Foundation / CIPD, Levying Up: How to Make the Growth and Skills Levy Work (August 2025)

In this episode on sustainability in engineering & manufacturing, Samantha spoke to Ryan McCuaig, lead product development engineer at Renewable Parts, about the circular economy. He spoke about how they're remanufacturing wind turbine gearboxes and other critical components, not just keeping them out of skips, but to perform even better than when they were new, getting turbines back online in under a week, and how SMEs are leading the charge on the circular economy across all sectors. Since we recorded this conversation, the team at Renewable Parts have been recognised with the CeeD Circular Economy award for this outstanding work.B2Be DifferentRenewable PartsOrganisations mentioned by Ryan:Ellen MacArthur FoundationZero Waste ScotlandCeeDUniversity of Strathclyde Advanced Research Materials LaboratoryNational Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS)

In this episode about using apprenticeships to fill the skills gap, Samantha spoke to Murray Whittaker from Whittaker Engineering about how apprenticeships are foundational to their business with 35% of their 140-strong workforce homegrown, why the UK needs to be prouder of its engineering heritage, and how they're developing the next generation through open days, hands-on training, and opportunities that take young people around the world while going from cycling to work to buying houses.Whittaker EngineeringB2Be Different

After Samantha was interviewed by Steve in episode 13, this week it's Samantha’s turn to put Steve of the spot. Steve spoke about his journey from a mechanical and electrical engineering apprenticeship to running a successful creative agency, why he's always loved creativity and the challenge of helping B2B manufacturing and engineering overcome its conservativeness, and the five most important things manufacturing and engineering companies need to consider, including understanding what makes you extraordinary and being brave to stand out.B2Be DifferentEpisode 13, when Steve interviewed Samantha