MPM Group Named Employer of the Year at Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards 2025
The 2025 Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards brought together leaders, supporters and students from across the sector to recognise and celebrate the people and businesses shaping the future of manufacturing. Held at Leeds Beckett University’s BlackBox Theatre, the event marked the culmination of months of activity aimed at promoting the industry to the next generation, and this year’s awards were the biggest and most inspiring yet.
One of the key highlights of the evening was the announcement of MPM Group as the winner of the Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by E3 Recruitment. This award recognises organisations that go above and beyond in creating a workplace culture that supports, develops, and values its people. MPM stood out for its consistent focus on employee growth, clear progression pathways, and commitment to community engagement.
Ben Wilson, Managing Director at MPM, accepted the award and reflected on what the recognition means to the business. Over the past four years, Ben has played an active role in the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, taking part in student panel talks, opening MPM’s doors to local schools, and helping to raise the profile of careers in manufacturing.
In his words, “To be recognised by your peers and people in the manufacturing sector can only be beaten by the recognition of your team. The award is for the team, which is what makes us a great employer, and MPM continue to improve and grow, as do the fantastic Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners on the evening.”
Matt Booth, Associate Director at E3 Recruitment, explained why MPM Group was chosen as this year’s winner. “E3 Recruitment have chosen MPM Group as Employer of the Year because of the culture they’ve built one that goes beyond processes and training and gets to the heart of what makes a workplace special.
Ben and the leadership team at MPM have shown that businesses can really thrive by investing time and energy into their people, treating everyone as an individual and opening doors for those who might not have been given a look-in elsewhere. What stood out is how they’re creating clearpathways for progression, offering training and development opportunities.
MPM have built a team that delivers real solutions to their customers without losing sight of the human side of work. They’ve created a place where everyone can grow, where ideas matter, and where people feel like they’re part of something bigger. For us, that’s what makes them such a deserving winner of this award.”
The awards evening also saw MPM’s Nick Robinson win the Manufacturing Leader Award, recognising his contribution to the business and the wider industry. It was a proud night for the MPM team and a reflection of the strength of their culture and leadership.
Other winners included Matthew Lambert from AW Hainsworth and Sons Ltd, who was named Future Manufacturing Leader, with Ellie Bamfield from Mercedes-Benz AG and Timothy Kerchhoff from Saftronics taking second and third place respectively. Nick Robinson of MPM Group received the Manufacturing Leader Award, followed by Matthew Kay of Greyhound Box in second place.
The Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by Enginuity, was won by Eesa Mahmood of Waites Mechanical Services Limited, with Tom Marchant from Brandon Medical and Kofi Taylor from Saftronics recognised as runners-up. The Rising Star category saw joint winners Isabella Pearce of DS Smith and Keira Barrass of The Leeds Welding Company, with Katy Baker from The Atkinson Dyeing Company Ltd and Freya Wissett from Sulzer taking second and third place.
In the Manufacturing Ambassadors category, Cameron Pinder of Kirkstall Precision and Mitch Scott were both recognised for their contributions to the sector, recognising an up and coming leader in the space in Cameron, and recognising Mitch for her dedication to improving, educating and guiding young students into careers in engineering.
E3 Recruitment is proud to continue supporting the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and playing a role in championing the businesses and individuals who are shaping the future of the sector. This year’s awards not only celebrated achievements but also highlighted the importance of culture, leadership, and opportunity in building a thriving manufacturing industry.
