Energy Resilience for Manufacturers

Event Overview

Where: Elizabeth House, 13–19 Queen St, Leeds LS1 2TW
When: Thursday 9th July | 8:30am – 10:30am

Manufacturers across the UK are facing growing pressure to balance rising energy costs, operational resilience, and sustainability ambitions, all while navigating continued economic uncertainty and tightening commercial margins.

Hosted by Made in Yorkshire in partnership with Clarion, this executive-level breakfast event will bring together senior manufacturing leaders for a focused discussion on the future of energy, investment, and operational strategy within the sector.

Designed specifically for MDs, FDs and CEOs, the session will explore how businesses can move beyond short-term cost management and begin building longer-term resilience through smarter energy strategies, digitalisation, and more informed decision-making.

Keynote Speakers:

• Mike Wilkinson, Major Pursuits Director at Schneider Electric
  Mike will be sharing Schneider Electric’s perspective on the changing energy landscape and how manufacturers can use data, digitalisation and AI to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and build more resilient operations.
• Jeavon Lolay, Head of Economics & Market Insight at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking
  A highly experienced economist and regular speaker, Jeavon provides expert insight on financial markets, interest rates and the wider economic outlook to audiences across the UK and internationally.

The morning will conclude with a panel discussion, chaired by Sarah Hex, Head of Client Relations at Clarion, bringing together experts from manufacturing, energy, technology, finance and infrastructure to explore the practical realities manufacturers are facing today, from energy resilience and investment confidence to sustainability, productivity and long-term competitiveness.

Panel Speakers:

• Ian Sargent, Managing Director, Sargent Electrical
  A long-standing member of Made in Yorkshire, Sargent Electrical has built a reputation as one of the UK's leading electrical engineering and contracting businesses, delivering complex projects across the industrial, energy and infrastructure sectors.
  
  Offering a real-world perspective from a manufacturer making a major long-term investment in sustainability and energy resilience. Ian will share lessons from the development of Sargent Electrical's new 85,000 sq ft BREEAM Outstanding-targeted facility, including the role of advanced Building Management Systems (BMS), renewable energy technologies, and how these investments can create competitive advantage through improved operational resilience and stronger Scope 3 reporting credentials.
• James Wood, CEO, Optimised
  A Patron of Made in Group, Optimised helps organisations reduce energy costs, improve operational performance, and accelerate their sustainability goals through data-led energy management and optimisation.
  
  Bringing expertise in energy management and operational efficiency, James will explore the hidden costs that often sit behind energy consumption. Drawing on his work with manufacturers across the UK, he will discuss how production decisions, equipment utilisation, energy monitoring and operational controls can significantly impact both profitability and resilience.
• Christian Hellmund, Partner – Energy, Projects & Infrastructure, Clarion
  Providing legal and strategic insight into the opportunities and challenges facing businesses as they navigate the energy transition, invest in infrastructure, and respond to evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements.
• Mike Wilkinson, Major Pursuits Director, Schneider Electric

Agenda

08:30 – 09:00 | Arrival, Breakfast & Networking
09:00 – 09:10 | Welcome from Made in Yorkshire & Clarion
09:10 – 09:30 | Keynote – Lloyds Bank
09:30 – 09:40 | Audience Q&A with Jeavon Lolay
09:40 – 10:00 | Keynote – Schneider Electric
10:00 – 10:30 | Panel Discussion (with Schneider Electric, Sargent Electrical and Clarion) & Audience Q&A