The automotive industry is in a period of dramatic change. IPCC targets to minimise climate change impact are driving a rapid evolution towards electrified powertrains. Future vehicles will be electrified, autonomous and connected, working seamlessly with other forms of transportation to give consumers a wider choice of mobility options including bikes, scooters, buses and trains. A move away from fossil fuels necessitates close partnerships with energy companies, infrastructure providers and the housing sector. Multi-modal transportation requiring close collaboration across these industry sectors presents significant challenges towards successful implementation.

The manufacturing sector remains important, both in terms of the provision of products to companies and consumers, and as a major contributor to economic output. The sector has always been highly competitive, meeting ever increasing consumer demands for product enhancement, whilst addressing cost challenges associated with off-shoring. Manufacturing system innovation has been significant: from mass-production to lean-manufacturing, just-in-time, agile and mass-customisation. Product and process transformation is critical: managing cost, investment and customer value to ensure that manufacturing companies can thrive.

The provision of public services entails careful management to ensure that value-for-money is achieved for the tax-payer whilst maximising benefit for communities. Through benchmarking the private sector, tools and techniques can be adopted to maximise the potential to achieve long-term goals.