On our first episode of this Manufacturing Matters podcast , we are thrilled to welcome a friend to our firm, and powerhouse in business transformation and strategic leadership, Kate Davies.

Kate is a seasoned change agent with a remarkable track record of driving operational excellence and strategic change across the manufacturing and engineering sectors. With board-level experience in both UK and European companies, including Private Equity-backed and FTSE 100 firms.

Kate has led major turnarounds, restructured business models, and implemented governance frameworks that have delivered real, measurable impact. She’s held senior leadership roles with world class manufacturers such as Rolls Royce, General Electric, and Alstom, and most recently served as COO and Managing Director at BRUSH, where she led a cultural and operational transformation that turned a loss-making business unit into a 20%+ EBITDA success story in under a year.

Kate is also the founder of Rufus Wren Ltd, where she continues to advise top-tier clients on governance, risk, and business transformation. Beyond the boardroom, she’s a passionate advocate for STEM education, actively supporting initiatives like National Interviewing Week and National Apprentice Week, and serves as a trustee for Stratford Upon Avon Municipal Charities.

In this episode Bonnie Amos-English, Consultant in our Regeneration and Housing Practice sits down with Nicki Jenkins, Corporate Director for Growth and City Development at Nottingham City Council.

They discuss Nicki's experience of working for the Council for over 20 years along with the objectives for the future around housing strategy and inclusive growth. They also talk about the plan for the Housing Directate going forward and Strategic Director of Housing position that they are partnering on.

In this episode, host Bonnie Amos-English speaks with Matthew Norwell, Director of Place at London Borough of Bexley about the journey he and his team have been on during his 4 years with the Council. Matthew talks about the hard work done to get the directorate into a strong and stable state that they can now “springboard” from to achieve the exciting plans the Council has around Growth and Regeneration.

Bonnie and Matthew also discuss the recruitment of a new Deputy Director, who will be heavily involved in bringing these plans to fruition - join us to hear more!