The honour recognises a career of more than 25 years in manufacturing and a leadership approach that has combined commercial ambition with a deep commitment to people, culture and community. Since taking ownership of Mansfield Pollard through a management buyout in February 2020, Lou has led the transformation of the historic Yorkshire business through a period of extraordinary challenge and growth, helping to shape a bold and ambitious new chapter for the company. 

Under Lou’s leadership, Mansfield Pollard has expanded its capabilities, invested heavily in its Bradford manufacturing base and created an environment where employee wellbeing is treated as a core part of business performance, helping drive annual turnover to £28m. Her belief in open leadership, long-term investment and giving people the support to thrive has helped shape both the culture of the company and its wider reputation in British manufacturing. Mansfield Pollard has also maintained carbon neutral status for five consecutive years, reflecting a long-term commitment to responsible growth.

Commenting on the award, Lou said: “Receiving this recognition is something I never expected, and I feel incredibly honoured and humbled. While it may be given in my name, it reflects a journey that has only ever been possible because of the support, encouragement, loyalty and belief of so many people around me.”

She added: “I have always believed that businesses are at their strongest when they invest properly in their people, and that belief has shaped the way I have tried to lead throughout my career. This recognition means a great deal to me because it reflects not only my passion for manufacturing, but also my belief that successful businesses can make a real difference to the lives of the people within them and the communities around them.” 

Alongside her work at Mansfield Pollard, Lou has remained committed to public service and giving back to the community. She serves as a Justice of the Peace and has devoted time to mentoring young people, supporting schools and colleges, and championing greater visibility for women in manufacturing and engineering. It reflects a genuine desire to use her experience and position to encourage others and widen opportunities for the next generation. That wider sense of responsibility is also reflected in the company’s supply chain strategy, with half of Mansfield Pollard’s annual supplier spend placed with businesses in Yorkshire, representing £3m retained in the local economy each year. 

Her leadership has also received wider recognition, with Mansfield Pollard named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work and Lou included in the LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders for 2025.

Looking ahead, Lou said the award would only strengthen her determination to keep building for the future: “Mansfield Pollard is entering an exciting new phase, with further product development, growing international opportunities and a clear ambition to reach £75m by the end of the decade. I am hugely proud of what we have achieved so far, and incredibly excited by what comes next.” 

Founded in 1866, Mansfield Pollard is a leading specialist in air management, helping customers control temperature, remove pollutants and limit noise across all working environments. Based in Bradford, the business designs and manufactures industrial air handling units, data centre cooling solutions and acoustic control products for complex, high-performance and mission-critical environments.