HUNDREDS of key manufacturing leaders from across the world gathered at The Mere for a four-day conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Manchester-based Manufacturing Institute.

Chancellor George Osborne greeted the delegates with a special video message welcoming them to Tatton “the best place on earth,” and praised The Manufacturing Institute for 20 years of educating, inspiring and improving manufacturing.

The conference began with site visits to key manufacturers across the north west, including Unilever, Leyland Trucks and Bentley Motors, and followed with two days of speaker sessions and a golf tournament at The Mere’s championship course.

Speakers included Dr Ania Servant, research fellow at the National Graphene Institute at Manchester University, and the founder of Fairphone, the world’s first ethical mobile phone company, Bas Van Abel.

The conference also featured presentations from many of the 18 companies worldwide The Manufacturing Institute has worked with to achieve recognition in the Shingo Prize, the new benchmark in enterprise excellence, which has been described as the Nobel Prize of manufacturing.

During a gala dinner to honour manufacturing leaders, hosted by BBC Breakfast business reporter Steph McGovern, Wilmslow business woman Vanda Murray OBE was given a special award for Constancy Of Purpose in manufacturing.

Vanda is a highly-regarded non-executive director in a number of UK PLCs, including Manchester Airports Group, Carillion, Chemring, Fenner Precision Engineering and Exova.

Receiving her award from Manufacturing Institute CEO Julie Madigan and Tony Fulton, area commercial director for HSBC, which sponsored the dinner, Vanda said: "I've been proud to have been associated with The Manufacturing Institute over its lifetime - as a board member, associate, trainer and speaker.

"The Institute has fulfilled a need in the UK manufacturing sector offering operational excellence, driving growth and real value added, facilitating education, and inspiring young people.

“Its relevance over the next 20 years is also clear - it is at the forefront of the next manufacturing revolution - offering guidance, support and always pushing the boundaries of best practice. “ Manufacturing Institute CEO Julie Madigan said: “The last few days have been a fantastic celebration of manufacturing past, present and looking to the future.

“Our delegates travelled from as far afield as Australia and Holland to share their stories and experiences with their fellow manufacturers. It's been a great way to mark the last 20 years.”

The Manufacturing Institute is an independent charity founded to educate, inspire and improve manufacturing companies and their employees.