Last Updated on: 27th July 2025, 09:49 am
Lisa Montague, Chief Executive of Sanderson Design Group, is appealing for increased Government assistance for British manufacturers, citing rising energy bills and wage pressures as barriers to investing in innovation.
Montague shared her perspective during an episode of the Inspiring Leaders interview series, in conversation with experienced interviewer Linda Walmsley. She offered her views on effective leadership and the external pressures facing manufacturers in the UK.
Since her appointment as CEO of the AIM-listed interiors brand in 2019, Montague has seen the manufacturing sector face significant headwinds. She explained: “You know we’ve been saddled in the last few years with, apart from the obvious challenges, utility prices increasing, which for manufacturing is really painful.
“We’re also a living wage employer, which I’m incredibly proud of, but I get challenged on that now because the wages have gone up on average 7% in the last few years. That’s meant a £2m utility hike, another £2m wage hike which has meant that we couldn’t invest the £2m in digital technologies earlier. I think more support for British manufacturing and understanding our challenges would be beneficial.”
Montague emphasised that strong leadership must include a commitment to optimism, flexibility, and endurance. “There are always opportunities, sometimes we are all so aware of the threats and the risks, but we do all need to keep our focus also on the opportunities and keep persevering.
“Keep trying, that’s quite important – not to the point of being naïve but to apply that strategy to maintain one’s focus on outcomes and goals, whilst being aware that we may have to shift the tactics accordingly along the way.”
Sanderson Design Group, employing approximately 500 people globally, owns several prestigious interior design brands including the Royal Warrant-holding Sanderson and Morris & Co. Under Montague’s leadership, the company has made significant strides in applying digital technologies and AI to elevate production and creative output.
“I’m passionate about all of it because I think if we don’t embrace new technology then the world moves on and leaves us behind, particularly in design innovation. We need to move forwards and be looking for new solutions all the time. I don’t think many other wallpaper manufacturers really have our range of print techniques or the ability to colour-match fabrics and wallpapers as we do; it gives us a competitive advantage by having invested and embraced new tech solutions.” Lisa noted.
Reflecting on the interview, Linda Walmsley of Walmsley Wilkinson said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lisa Montague and understand more about her career journey and her CEO insights. When I asked her, how others would describe her, the adjectives she used were courageous, energetic, kind, strategic, focused. I believe that they are excellent traits for any Chief Executive to demonstrate and I’m sure her leadership style has a very positive impact on the culture of the organisation.”
