Lord Harrington takes over Britain's manufacturing trade body amid industry turmoil

In the UK, Lord Harrington is poised to take over as the new chairman of Make UK, a prominent manufacturing trade body. His expected appointment follows the tenure of Lord Hutton, who previously held this influential position. Lord Harrington has a notable background, having served as a minister for refugees under Boris Johnson's government, where he played a significant role in the UK's response to the refugee crisis amid the conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, he contributed to the development of the industrial strategy during the Tory government's administration in 2016, which highlighted his involvement in attempting to bolster the manufacturing sector. Industry insiders believe that his appointment is being finalized and will be announced shortly. Make UK is currently facing increasing pressure due to a skills deficit in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, which has prompted the organization to establish the Industrial Skills Commission. This initiative aims to address the challenges of skill shortages that manufacturers continue to experience throughout the country. Last month, the commission was launched to explore new opportunities for improving skills training, especially around apprenticeships. Robert Halfon, another former minister, is co-chairing this commission and emphasizes the importance of reforming the existing Apprenticeship Levy. His perspective is that a new Skills and Growth Levy should ensure that appropriate apprenticeship opportunities arise for employers across various sectors. The backdrop of Lord Harrington's potential chairmanship includes a review he led regarding the UK's approach to foreign direct investment, commissioned by the current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. As Harrington takes on this new role, he is also providing advice related to the implementation of his investment strategies to the Labour administration. His extensive experience from government positions, coupled with his involvement in private sector ventures, includes chairing interests in real estate and infrastructure, making him a suitable candidate to guide Make UK through its upcoming challenges. The appointment comes during a critical period when the advanced manufacturing sector is under scrutiny, which stresses the necessity for leadership that can navigate these current complexities facing the industry. As discussions progress, there is notable anticipation regarding how Lord Harrington will approach the pressing needs of the manufacturing sector, especially in light of the skill gaps and the latest government commitments towards reforming educational and training initiatives. The emphasis on practical applications in apprenticeships and industry-specific training remains a vital area of focus as policymakers aim to align educational frameworks with the evolving needs of businesses in the manufacturing sector.