What connects electric motorcycles, heritage crafts, satellites and beer? The panellists at Made In Britain, our most recent RadSoc business networking event, told us how manufacturing, innovation and skills are thriving in the UK.
On 13th May 2025, Old Radleians, parents, and students gathered in London for an evening exploring the opportunities and challenges of building innovative British businesses in the UK.
Held in the home of design and crafting, the Goldsmith’s Centre, Farringdon, Made in Britain brought together a panel of entrepreneurs and investors whose ventures span sectors from space to beer and from motorcycles to heritage craftsmanship. The conversation focused on the vital questions of why and how we should continue to make in Britain, at a time when tariffs, global supply chains, sustainable practices and ethical concerns are under intense scrutiny.
Our panellists were:
- Lucy Whitfield (Radley parent) – Moderator – Managing Director, Soane Britain
Soane Britain works with over 40 makers in its thriving manufacturing workshops to design enduring and life-enhancing furniture, lighting, fabrics, and wallpapers. - Seb Inglis-Jones (2004, E) – Co-CEO of Maeving
Maeving is Britain’s first electric motorcycle manufacturer, with industry-leading products outperforming the likes of BMW and Kawasaki. - Sam McMeekin (1996, B) – Co-founder and CEO of The Gipsy Hill Brewing Company
Gispy Hill is the largest independent brewery in London, known for pioneering sustainability and its employee-owned status. - Rupert Gather (1975, G) – Founder and Executive Chairman, InvestUK
InvestUK champions the next generation of British enterprise by helping innovative UK companies access international capital. - Mike Curtis-Rouse (Friend of Radley) – Head of In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) | CEO & Co-Founder Second Star
With a background in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and propulsion technologies, Mike is instrumental in developing the UK’s capabilities in sustainable space operations.
Each speaker shared their own route into entrepreneurship and connection to British manufacturing and gave candid insights into what it takes to start and sustain a business in the UK’s manufacturing sector today. Their stories were varied but united by themes of resilience, creative thinking, and the desire to build something meaningful.
Seb and Sam both spoke about their career pivots, from consultancy and finance to climate-conscious startups. Mike reflected on his engineering journey from CERN to startup rocket engine manufacturing and Rupert offered a broader investment perspective, sharing why British manufacturing, though capital-intensive and often undervalued by investors, remains a critical part of the UK economy. Younger attendees in the crowd were told to recognise their own potential and those who felt ‘rudderless’ were reassured that meaningful direction often emerges gradually.
The Q&A covered everything from the mechanics of startup funding to the surprising link between knitting and space exploration. All panellists spoke openly about the challenges they’ve faced, from near-failures to persistence in the face of unexpected global crises, and the importance of tenacity, likability, and humility.
“It’s not a competition to make the most money the quickest,” Sam McMeekin reflected, “It’s about investing in yourself through learning.”
The event concluded with networking over drinks, offering students, parents and ORs the chance to connect with speakers and continue the conversation.
Listen to a recording of this event via YouTube (below) or Spotify.
We are grateful to all our panellists and attendees who made the evening a success.
Some photos from the evening:
To explore other RadSoc business networking events, visit our YouTube channel where recordings of both networking events and our Beyond Radley careers series are available.
Visit the RadSoc Business Network page for more information about the Radley community’s thriving professional network, and for links to Radley Connect, our online networking and careers platform.
