Jane Duffy joins Made Smarter as an Organisational Development and Skills Specialist, bringing experience from a career focused on people, leadership, skills and helping organisations navigate change.
Jane began her career managing teams in the financial services and insurance sector, working with people at every stage of their careers, from apprentices straight out of school to employees with more than 30 years' experience.
My career has always been about people. I started out in management roles and learned very quickly that people don't arrive with an instruction manual.
Early on, I thought good management was about having all the answers, but I soon realised the real skill was listening, understanding what motivates people and helping them succeed.
That experience sparked Jane's interest in organisational development and workforce development. She moved into roles focused on helping organisations develop their people, improve performance and navigate change, supporting businesses with challenges ranging from recruitment and skills shortages to leadership development and preparing for growth.
More recently, through her work with the Business Growth Hub across Greater Manchester, Jane has supported organisations of different sizes and developed a strong understanding of the business support landscape across the region. She has worked closely with local authorities and partner organisations to help businesses access practical support, funding opportunities, skills provision and growth programmes.
Joining Made Smarter through Growth Company felt like a natural next step.
“It combines everything I'm passionate about: helping businesses grow, supporting people through change and preparing organisations for the future,” Jane said.
“I'm relatively new to the manufacturing sector, but I bring a strong background in people management, organisational development, leadership and workforce development.
“One of the things that appealed to me about Made Smarter is the collaborative approach. You get to work closely with manufacturers, Technology Adoption Specialists and technical experts, all bringing different experience and knowledge”
Jane sees coming into manufacturing with a fresh perspective as an opportunity to learn from the businesses she supports while bringing her own experience to their people and organisational challenges.
“I'm not afraid to ask questions,” she said. “Coming into a new sector gives me a fresh perspective and an opportunity to learn from the businesses I work with while helping them think differently about their people and organisational challenges.”
While digital technologies, automation, AI and data offer significant opportunities for SME manufacturers, Jane believes developing a culture of continuous improvement can be just as important.
For me, one of the biggest opportunities is creating a culture of continuous improvement, where businesses are constantly learning, adapting and looking for ways to do things better.
“I also think there is huge value in manufacturers learning from each other. Some of the most powerful conversations happen when business leaders share experiences, challenges and ideas with their peers. Learning from others who have faced similar challenges and being open to new ways of thinking can be just as valuable as investing in new technology.”
Another area Jane is particularly passionate about is succession planning and developing the next generation of manufacturing talent.
“Many SMEs have incredibly knowledgeable and experienced people at the heart of their business. Making sure that knowledge, skills and leadership capability are passed on to the next generation is vital for long-term success.”
Jane describes herself as naturally curious, and her approach starts with getting inside a business and understanding its people rather than reaching for an off-the-shelf solution.
“I like getting out into businesses, meeting the people behind them and understanding what makes them tick,” she said. “Every manufacturer is different, so I don't believe in off-the-shelf solutions or ticking boxes. What works in one business won't necessarily work in another.
“Businesses can expect someone who will listen first, ask questions and take the time to understand what's really going on. Leaders are often so busy dealing with the day job that they don't get the chance to step back and think about the bigger picture.”
Workplace culture is another important part of Jane's approach.
“We spend a huge portion of our lives at work, so I think people should feel valued, supported and have opportunities to learn and grow,” she said. “Businesses need to perform, of course, but the best organisations I've come across are often the ones where people enjoy coming to work, look out for each other and take pride in what they do.
“And where possible, I like to bring a bit of humour to the conversation. Change can feel daunting and running a business can be tough, so sometimes having an honest conversation and a laugh along the way can be just as important as any action plan.”
Looking ahead, Jane wants to help manufacturers develop their people alongside their digital ambitions, whether that means identifying future leaders, addressing skills gaps, improving communication or creating stronger pipelines of talent.
She also wants more manufacturers to take advantage of Made Smarter's skills programmes, including Leading Change for Digital Champions (LCDC), Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) and Digital Technology Internships (DTI).
“Most importantly, I'd hope the businesses I work with feel they've had a trusted partner alongside them, someone who has helped them step back from the day-to-day, think differently and turn good ideas into practical action. “If, in a year's time, businesses feel more confident, their people are developing, they're learning from others in the Made Smarter network and they're making real progress towards their goals, I'd consider that a successful first year.”
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