Former football club board member to become Master Cutler
The new Master Cutler of Sheffield, Ken Cooke, will focus on promoting the Sheffield City Region’s manufacturing potential to national and international markets during his year in office.
Cooke, a former steel business owner and Sheffield Wednesday board member, was elected to the office of Master Cutler this month and will be installed on October 3. He takes over the role from Richard Edwards as the lead ambassador for the Company of Cutlers.
Sheffield born Cooke said: “I want to make sure that people in and outside of the city get an opportunity to realise what’s happening here for businesses in the Sheffield City Region.”
He added that as a nation of manufacturing exporters, it was essential to overcome Brexit with a “common sense approach” because there were plenty of opportunities to maximise across the EU. During the year, he intends to invite notable people to the region to showcase its potential – though he wouldn’t be drawn on who was on the invite list.
Cooke worked in the steel industry through his career, starting up his own business – CTW – at the age of 22, with two partners. He bought out the partners over the years and the firm is still trading and exporting today; with his daughter a current director.
Cooke served as a Sheffield Wednesday board member for seven years and was chairman of the football in the community programme during his time.
He will also focus on education, training and apprenticeships during. He said: “In manufacturing and industry, there should be a place for everyone to develop.
“Sheffield is my city and I wouldn’t undervalue it.”
Richard Edwards
Outgoing Master Cutler Edwards spent much of his time in office for the 400-year-old company meeting many manufacturers from across the region. He said: “Sheffield is in a good place, manufacturers are for the most part busy, we have diversity in the various types of manufacturing and we have a strong and growing tradition of innovation.
“The investments during my time in office form McLaren and Boeing have been fantastic but we should not forget all the other investments, both connected to manufacturing and in the sectors of the economy. The investment pipeline looks good, with strong businesses looking to come to the region.”
He has spread the message about Sheffield to international markets including Dubai, Zurich, China and the USA.
Edwards added: “I have come to the end of the year with the view that manufacturing here is in a better and improving place.”
