Sean is an experienced engineer and director who is leading the drive towards modernisation in making his industry attractive for future workforces.
He joined Michael Smith Switchgear in 2004, spending his first three years working his way from the workshop through to the engineering team.
After gaining his qualifications as an electrical and electronic engineer, he became a Director at Michael Smith Switchgear in 2011. A year later he was made Managing Director.
Since then, he has pushed the business forward as a standard-bearer for increased sustainability and safety standards in UK manufacturing.
He led design changes and the testing programme for BS EN IEC 61439 and is the Chair of BEAMA’s ESPG Management Committee. Sean is also a member of its Low Voltage Switchboard Technical Committee.
He led the management buyout of the business and oversaw the expansion into new premises which further accelerated the company’s growth, as well as that of its sister company AVW Fabrications.
A trained mental health first aider, Sean has a keen interest in partnership working to increase opportunities and pathway into apprenticeships for future engineers. He was also a driving force behind Michael Smith Switchgear’s journey towards Zero Carbon.
Emily is a multi-award-winning business leader in the East Midlands. As well as her directorships at Michael Smith Switchgear, she is Managing Director of AVW Fabrications Limited.
Emily is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor. She moved into the manufacturing industry in 2013 after eight years with an accountancy practice.
The move enabled Emily to further develop her knowledge of finance and business while developing additional leadership skills in HR and Health and Safety.
Emily has a particular interest in Mental Health in the workplace, spearheading key changes in the business to focus on employee health, safety and wellbeing. She is also a keen advocate for environmental issues.
Emily was appointed Chair of the ICAEW Manufacturing Advisory Group in 2021 and now leads discussion nationally on opportunities and challenges relating to manufacturers across the UK.
She also chairs Hopeful Futures, working in association with the local research charity Hope Against Cancer, to engage with a younger audience on the importance of new research into early detection, prevention and treatment of cancer.
Emily is also an Enterprise Adviser for the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), going into local schools to talk with young people about skills, apprenticeships, and careers in manufacturing.
