
A note of reflection from Steve Gerry – as he retires as PMG Secretary
Steve Gerry – well known Secretary and Treasurer to the PMG – retired earlier in 2022, so we asked Steve to share with us some of his thoughts about his time working with the PMG and its members:
“Reflecting back on my 14 year period as Secretary to Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group or PMG by which the group tends to be known, I have many fond memories. It was with great pleasure back in February 2008 that I took over from my predecessor Mike Boxall who I had first met back in the mid-1990s when he was Chief Executive of the Westcountry Development Corporation.
Of course the origin of the PMG pre-dated both of us as it was formed back in 1977. In fact, it was during my period of office that we celebrated the 40th anniversary of what had been for decades a renowned and well-respected group.
Throughout my period as Secretary, I worked with over half a dozen different Chairmen (both male and female), each of which was managing one of the larger manufacturers in the city at their time of office.
I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to work with all of them. I think it must be something to do with their need to be highly practical people, responsible as they are for significant levels of production on a daily basis, that resulted in each of them being pleasant, well grounded, experienced and easy to get on.
The manufacturing sector in Plymouth is undoubtedly one of our economic strengths if not the economic strength of the City. Including as it does, some of the city‘s largest employers such as Babcock and Princess. In fact two-thirds of these larger firms are internationally owned corporations and we all too easily forget as a city how lucky we are to host such top global brand names.
It was during the latter period of my term of office that Plymouth became formally recognised as a top 10 manufacturing city in the UK. For many years, I had read numerous economic reports that were gloomily forecasting a gradual downturn in employment and growth within the sector. I am pleased to say that this never came to fruition and long may that continue.
Despite our best efforts, skill shortages continue to hold the sector back. Some year’s ago, we introduced the annual apprentice jobs fair which we later broadened to include other early careers opportunities including those for graduates. This proved to be highly successful and our collaboration with the local construction sector made it even more worthwhile for parents and young people to attend. We also tried our best to tackle the gender imbalance that exists within manufacturing and we were, for example, instrumental in supporting the women in STEM movement in Plymouth which has been led by a series of very impressive young women.
I took enormous pleasure from the success of our annual Christmas Lecture which was held annually at the University of Plymouth which has been a stalwart supporter of a PMG. The Lecture gave us the opportunity to engage with the local business community in its broadest sense and members of the University staff, particularly from within engineering and business faculties to listen to some of the best minds in Industry and Commerce from across the UK and beyond.
One of the greatest sources of satisfaction for me was the way in which we expanded our membership base to include SME firms from within our sector. This is where future growth lies, and in fact we have already seen that some of our most successful smaller members have grown rapidly to become significant employers in their own right such as Pipex (now part of US giant NOV) and Burts Snacks. And although the PMG is clearly a Plymouth-centric body, a number of our smaller members join us from slightly further afield in South East Cornwall, West Devon, the South Hams, Teignbridge, and Torbay and Exeter.
What matters most for the success of the PMG, both in the past and looking to its future, is the level of engagement and support we enjoy from amongst the membership. It goes without saying that the PMG is nothing without its members and it has been due to the unselfish dedication of many volunteers down the years who have stepped up to serve on our board and to chair our numerous thematic sub groups, covering everything from health and safety to environmental sustainability. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those individuals concerned.
Our defence and marine sectors give the city its USP and international reputation. This is undoubtedly from where our success ultimately lies and it is to the benefit of all manufacturers in the City that we must look to seize opportunities where they exist and when they arise in the future. Personally, I have complete confidence in the future success of our manufacturing and engineering sector and of the PMG as a key sector network and representational group. Fortunately, both are in very safe hands. It is therefore with great pleasure and interest that I now observe the performance of each from a more leisurely distance.
Good luck to all concerned including the incumbent Chair, Karen Friendship and Gemma Selley who now has her hands on the PMG tiller.”
We’re sure you’ll agree, it has been fantastic to hear Steve’s reflections and what he wishes for the future of our manufacturing sector. From all of us, we thank you Steve for all your hard work and dedication to the PMG, its members and of course our city and its surrounds. Wishing you happy and relaxing retirement adventures!