The co-founder of Dorset cosmetics giant Lush and a boss at Somerset's Henry vacuum cleaner factory are among 14 West Country manufacturing professionals to be recognised in a new honours ranking.
Make UK's list, to mark National Manufacturing Day, includes figures from industries including aerospace, consumer products, precision engineering and advanced industrial technologies.
Lush and Numatic leaders recognised
Mo Constantine, co-founder of Lush, which is headquartered in Poole, was recognised for helping transform cosmetics manufacturing and having a strong focus on sustainable, handmade production.
Stuart Cochrane, manufacturing manager at Numatic International - the Chard-based maker of the famous Henry vacuum - was included for championing British manufacturing through innovation, automation and investment in people.
Numatic is one of the region's best-known manufacturing success stories and marked National Manufacturing Day with the release of a limited-edition vacuum cleaner.
Other honourees and context
The honours also recognised Clive Higgins of Somerset engineering firm Leonardo and Richard Oldfield of Bristol's National Composites Centre (NCC).
The initiative was launched on National Manufacturing Day, in partnership with Barclays, to mark Make UK's 130th anniversary. A total of 130 people across England and Wales were recognised on the honours list for 2026.
Fiona McGarry, region director for the South of England at Make UK, said the people recognised showed "the talent, ideas and commitment" driving success in manufacturing.
"The South West is home to one of the UK's most diverse and dynamic manufacturing economies, from world-leading aerospace and defence to household-name consumer brands," she said. "What better day to celebrate them than National Manufacturing Day, when manufacturers across the country are opening their doors to showcase the people, skills and innovation behind modern British industry."
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: "A stronger manufacturing base means more good jobs in every part of the country, which is why our Industrial Strategy is backing our world-class manufacturers. I'd absolutely encourage young people, parents and teachers to visit a local manufacturer and see for themselves the rewarding opportunities available up and down the country."
Full list of South West recipients
The South West recipients of Make UK's manufacturing honours include:
- Paul Wenham, Managing Director, Geometric Manufacturing (Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire)
- Karen Friendship, Managing Director, Aldermans (Plymouth, Devon)
- Nick Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Bott (Bude, Cornwall)
- Eric Nicholls, Chair, Cornwall Manufacturers Group (Truro, Cornwall)
- Maurice Porter, Head of Learning, Development & Apprenticeships, Hepco Motion (Tiverton, Devon)
- Tom McCurtie OBE, Managing Director, Hymid (Torquay, Devon)
- Lee Crocker, Managing Director, Kawasaki (Plymouth, Devon)
- Clive Higgins, UK Chair and CEO, Leonardo (Yeovil, Somerset)
- Mo Constantine, Founder, Lush (Poole, Dorset)
- Stuart Cochrane, Manufacturing Manager, Numatic International (Chard, Somerset)
- Brian Cutts, Managing Director, Temco Wire Products (Cinderford, Gloucestershire)
- Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal at Yeovil College (Yeovil, Somerset)
- Simon Martin, Head of Global Manufacturing, Yunex (Poole, Dorset)
- Richard Oldfield, Chief Executive, NCC (Bristol)
