Master cutler confident politicians recognise importance of UK manufacturing

DAYS before the new master cutler takes up his position, current man in the role, Tony Pedder, has praised politicians for beginning to recognise the importance of manufacturing in the UK.

During the past 12 months Pedder has focussed on the manufacturing industry, which is at the heart of the Cutlers’ Company purpose.Tax, infrastructure, the EU and the UK energy markets, have all been included in his argument for a more competitive environment in which to operate.

“I approach the end of my year of office feeling more optimistic than when I started,” he said. “Indeed, I feel more confident that our politicians have “got it” than at any time since I started working in the manufacturing sector more than 40 years ago.

“This year I have seen UK politicians from all parties espousing the need to rebalance our economy. I have seen the secretary of state for business and the chancellor of the exchequer starting to make some positive moves to recognise the need for more globally competitive energy supplies, particularly to intensive users. I have seen the government move to a more competitive corporation tax regime. There are other examples that indicate a recognition that manufacturing in UK really matters. And much of that seems to have cross-party support. If only they would cement this in by agreeing to create the independent Office for Manufacturing Competitiveness, which I have advocated on many occasions this year.

“I like to think that it was our persistence over the cost of energy that played some part in the budgetary announcement of some relief for businesses over the carbon tax add-ons.”

Pedder selected the Made in Sheffield passport scheme as the highlight of his year.

“I am a great supporter of the Cutlers’ Company educational programme. Its preparation for work scheme held its first graduation ceremony in my year and we presented passports to 107 students drawn from six schools. That was great moment and felt like we had done something really worthwhile.

“In addition, the company has done a great deal of work with charities this year, raising money and making donations in excess of £200,000 to many local organisations, many of them smaller charities.

“I feel I leave my year of office with the Cutlers’ Company having real relevance in the city as a power for good. We have been here for more than 400 years. We have seen governments come and go, but we keep ploughing on with our central message of manufacturing and Made in Sheffield and the good values of this city.”

As the chairmen of Sheffield Forgemasters, the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield, Pedder will not be slowing down once his term of office has ended.  “It has been something of a juggling act this past 12 months – as it is for most masters,” he said. “I took a campaigning approach to my year and that proved to be both enjoyable and rewarding. Creating a competitive environment for manufacturing is what it is all about.”

This week, David Grey group managing director of OSL Holdings will take up the post of master cutler.

The Cutlers’ Company, which is made up of around 450 Freemen, was founded in 1624 to ensure the proper training and treatment of apprentices, for registering marks and to devise regulations to ensure the quality of workmanship.

Its Freemen are owners, directors or senior executives of organisations engaged in manufacturing or technology within the Sheffield City Region.