Thurston Group MD Matt Goff named Manufacturing Leader of the Year 

Matt Goff, managing director of Thurston Group, was awarded Manufacturing Leader of the Year at The Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards last night.

The Yorkshire Leadership Awards, which took place on Thursday 20 March at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, was created to celebrate people who are role models within their organisations, and raise the bar for their competitors, highlighting extraordinary leaders across the county.

Matt took home the win in recognition of his resilience and achievements since becoming Thurston Group’s MD over seven years ago.

Since taking on the role, Matt has achieved remarkable year-on-year growth for the modular building manufacturer, leading 370 employees across three manufacturing hubs across Yorkshire and spearheading transformative improvements across the company.

His leadership has resulted in turnover more than doubling since 2018, with a record £51 million revenue recorded in 2024, solidifying the firm’s position at the forefront of the industry.

The Manufacturing Leader highlights an individual who has delivered long-term impact on the sector, helping to change the industry by embracing innovation, developing the skills of their workforce, or leading the way in sustainability.

Matt was also shortlisted in the Company Leader (101+ employees) category, in recognition of his work in driving exceptional growth across multiple sites, whilst championing development and innovation at every level.

Commenting on his win, Matt said: “I am incredibly proud to be recognised as Manufacturing Leader of the Year. This award reflects the hard work, passion, and dedication of the entire Thurston Group team.

“Over the past seven years, we’ve embraced innovation, invested in our people, and pushed the boundaries of what modular construction can achieve. It’s an honour to lead such a committed group, and I’m excited for what the future holds as we continue to grow and evolve.”

Matt’s strategic vision and commitment has spearheaded transformative improvements across the company including training and development. The business has invested over £140,000 in the past 12 months alone, providing 100 sector-specific training sessions across the workforce in welding, powered access equipment and broader skills like first aid and fire safety.