A couple of weeks ago, at our Entrepreneurs’ Summit, the Dragons’ Den investor James Caan let slip that, in his view, the UK had no future as a manufacturing centre.

Cue uproar. Fellow Dragon Doug Richard, ARM-co-founder Sir Robin Saxby, King of Shaves creator Will King, Aqualisa boss Harry Rawlinson, and Scottish engineering legend Jim McColl all ploughed in to dismiss Caan’s views. Click here to read their reactions and here to read Flowcrete founder Dawn Gibbins on the same subject – women will be the saviour of manufacturing.

Interesting, then, to hear Radio 4’s peerless In Business programme dedicating a fascinating half hour to a group of "maverick" manufacturers (including Gibbins and McColl) who maintain that UK manufacturing does have a real future if it thinks smart.

I heartily recommend a listen. Click here for the podcast.

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