Richard Swart The Managing Director of Berger Closures in Peterlee.

Richard has had a fascinating career in the industry which started out at the age of 26, coming to the UK with his Wife, as a journalist from South Africa, before getting involved in the Manufacturing sector and joining Berger Closures

He has been heavily involved in the networking scene for many years at board level and we discuss at length what benefit that has had on his career.

This is a real insight into UK manufacturing and the challenges it is currently facing. It’s a no holes barred discussion on politics, Brexit and the effects of covid has had on the industry.

Richard is a strong and fair leader, and we go deep into how he sees accountability and honesty as a key part of management.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Timestamps:

• 1 min - Decision making as a manager
• 2 min - Richard’s background
• 3 min - The balance between doing the right thing and people pleasing
• 5 min - Working with different nationalities and cultures
• 7 min - Richard’s aspirations and challenges
• 10 min - The reasons for staying in the company for life
• 12 min - How challenges change over time
• 17 min - Brexit consequences for business
• 22 min - Costs and outsourcing internationally
• 24 min - Resolving challenges
• 27 min - Richard’s networking story
• 31 min - The Advanced Manufacturing Forum
• 34 min - How networking can benefit managers and businesses
• 36 min - What keeps the passion going?
• 41 min - Challenges and building resilience
• 42 min - The qualities that make a good leader
• 44 min - Richard’s advice for new managers
• 45 min - How to bring young people to manufacturing
• 49 min - Richard’s short-term plans