Insights and Analysis

The Future of Manufacturing: Strategic insights

04 June 2026

The Future of Manufacturing: Strategic Insights

A 5‑episode video series

Manufacturing leaders are navigating profound structural change—shifting supply chains, accelerating technology adoption, regulatory complexity and evolving geopolitics. The Future of Manufacturing: Strategic Insights is a six‑episode video series that brings together senior industry and legal experts to explore what these changes mean in practice for global manufacturing and industrials businesses

Across the series, Ian King joins the video host as a key guest, contributing his global perspective alongside market leading practitioners from Hogan Lovells. Together, they discuss the strategic issues shaping the manufacturing sector today and the critical decisions leaders must make to remain competitive, resilient and compliant in an increasingly complex global environment.

Each episode offers concise, practical insight—designed for executives and in house teams who want a clearer view of the emerging risks, opportunities and trends impacting manufacturing and industrials businesses worldwide.

Our future episodes and contributors in the series are:

Episode 1: Statecraft - Overview, middle east, world economy, tariffs by Emerson Holmes (London) and Ian King
Episode 2: Where Tech Gets Smart - AI adoption: challenges and opportunities by Tom Smith, (London) and Ian King
Episode 3: Powering the Nuclear Revival - The demand for nuclear and nuclear renaissance by Malcolm Parry (London), Stewart Forbes (Washington, D.C.) and Ian King
Episode 4: Sustainability climate and ESG - ESG trends by Adrian Walker (London), Katie Dunn (London) and Ian King
Episode 5: Fuelling Future Trends - Upcoming developments, energy demands and data centres by Mark Crossley (London), Lauren Bruce (London) and Ian King

Episode 1

Statecraft

Episode 1: Statecraft explores how geopolitics, shifting trade policy, tariffs, and regional power dynamics are reshaping the global manufacturing landscape.

Emerson Holmes and Ian King discuss what today’s uncertain world economy means for manufacturers, and how leaders can navigate political risk, supply‑chain disruption, and strategic decision‑making in an increasingly complex global environment.

Episode 2

Where Tech Gets Smart

Episode 2: Where Tech Gets Smart looks at how digital technologies are being embedded into manufacturing in practical, value‑driven ways.

Tom Smith, and Ian King highlight the shift from pilot projects to real‑world use of data, automation and intelligent systems, and how these technologies are helping manufacturers operate more efficiently, make better decisions and build more resilient operations.

Episode 3

Powering the Nuclear Revival

Episode 3: Powering the Nuclear Revival

Malcolm Parry and Stewart Forbes, together with Ian King, discuss the resurgence of nuclear energy as countries prioritise energy security and low‑carbon power, highlighting how new modular technologies are enabling more flexible deployment despite ongoing constraints around skills, supply chains, and fuel availability.

Episode 4

Sustainability climate and ESG – End of Days

Episode 4: Sustainability climate and ESG – End of Days

In this episode, Adrian Walker and Katie Dunn are joined by Ian King to explore how sustainability, climate priorities and ESG are reshaping the future of manufacturing. Together, they discuss the growing regulatory and commercial pressures on businesses, and the practical steps industry leaders can take to drive resilience, innovation and long-term value in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Episode 5

Fuelling Future Trends

Episode 5: Fuelling Future Trends

Lauren Bruce and Mark Crossley join Ian King for this final episode to highlight how manufacturing is being reshaped by automation, energy demands, and AI, alongside rising geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on supply chains. It underscores the need for resilient infrastructure—particularly energy and data—while pointing to growth opportunities like Africa, ultimately emphasising that manufacturers must stay flexible, invest strategically, and adapt to an increasingly complex global landscape.