Man who helped launch global technology giant now on a skills mission

The man who helped launch and develop set top box maker Pace into a global technology giant is spending some of his time back in Saltaire with a mission to use his wealth and experience in supporting budding technology and manufacturing entrepreneurs while trying to plug a nagging skills gap which has held back UK industry for more than 30 years.

He has joined recruitment specialist Steven Street, who sold his Bradford-based Relay Recruitment business to a national chain, in a new venture under a holding company called Hunter Wolff which is launching a programme called the Essential Gateway Skills for Manufacturing.

Hunter Wolff, an accredited business coaching and mentoring operation, is looking to help businesses secure growth funding from various government finance streams including Growth Through Innovation, Growth Accelerator, Manufacturing Advisory Service and PERA, which provides new product development grants, along with European growth and capital funding.

Alongside this is Mr Fleming’s Expertise for Equity scheme through which he will use his own resources to finance selected new businesses, taking the bulk of the initial equity. This will decline as the company grows and the junior partners gain a bigger stake, then full ownership.

Entrepreneurs will also benefit from mentoring and advice from Robert and be able to tap into his extensive ‘black book’ of contacts and his vast experience of running national and international companies as well as incubating several smaller operations of his own.

Robert will apply his business growth skills and help new entrepreneurs identify and exploit new markets, innovate, raise their profile and secure further investment and funding.

The model for this approach is Cubed Resourcing, a niche talent management agency for the manufacturing, design, engineering, electronics and high tech sectors, which is now based at Salts Mill and has Steve Street on board.

The brainchild of HR professional, Kate Hill, who contacted Robert Fleming with the idea of a head-hunting consultancy for middle and emerging management in manufacturing, rather than established high fliers, is the route through which new applicants for Expertise for Equity support should apply. Cubed has achieved a national reach and two young recruiters who have joined are also earmarked for equity. It employs a paid undergraduate intern and is hiring a second intern and an apprentice recruiter.

There are also plans to launch an Apprentice Training Academy focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills.

Robert Fleming is a passionate advocate of the importance of manufacturing, particularly engineering and technology and is on a mission to change and update people’s attitudes to the sector.

The former RAF medic whose interest in computers saw him resign his commission to work in David Hood’s Lidget Green home to develop equipment on which Pace was built into an international business employing thousands of people, is depressed that skills shortages remain an issue 20 years after he sat on a government committee looking at the problem.

“The discussions we had then remain the same now. There was disdain for manual work and the attitude in many schools was that pupils who didn’t do well academically would end up working in a factory. That attitude is completely out of date and won’t encourage people to come into what is a fascinating, vibrant and absolutely vital sector for our economy.If people looked at the country as a company we would be investing years ahead, which is what we need to do. But " We’ve suffered from short-termism in government and the City. This must change. I believe that the UK has never been in a better position in my lifetime for manufacturing except we don't have the skills and the only way to take advantage is to import skills from rest of Europe, and particularly Eastern Europe, for engineering,” said Robert.

He cites the emergence of 3D printing as one of the examples of how manufacturing nis changing and is now a clean, high tech and exciting environment.

“3D printing is already here in various areas such as making construction materials, jewellery and other smaller items. It’s based on engineering and and we are preparing far too few people for it. "We don’t need university type skills. It’s hands-on trade expertise that’s required. People need to get away from the idea that it all happens at university where many leave with a degree and are disappointed. while probably more than half of graduates don’t follow through on their degree.

" If we could interest people in engineering and manufacturing as it is and not as their grandad said it was, then we’d be going down the right track,” he said.

Steven Street said the idea was to provide a gateway into manufacturing for youngsters as well as re-engage with people who have worked in manufacturing and have skills and aptitude but remember it for all the wrong reasons.

He said: “Equally vital to dispelling the myths about manufacturing and attracting more young people is re-engaging with those in their 40s, 50s and older so we can refresh their skills and get them involved in rewarding work again.

“They will remember it being unfulfilling, low paid, unsustainable, unrewarding. It’s none of those things today.”

Hunter Wolff’s client base is 90 per cent manufacturing and it provides mentoring and coaching using established industry practitioners. One client is Bradford-based packaging manufacturer Holmes Mann, run by fifth generation owner Barny Holmes.

The firm has been guided towards the Manufacturing Advisory Service and European development funding to upgrade its operations in Harris Street.

“Like many companies , whether new or long-established, Holmes Mann has enormous unrealised potential with an immense potential market for its products.

"Enabling Barny to get an outside view and input from seasoned manufacturing people is helping him develop the business for the 21st Century, is a good example of what we are about.”