Castings Technology has celebrated a double induction at the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, with two employees welcomed into the 400-year-old Sheffield trade guild.

Commercial lead Dave Leary was inducted as a Freeman, while training and development manager Curtis Oxborough was welcomed as an Associate Freeman.

Incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1624, the Company of Cutlers is one of the UK's oldest trade guilds and continues to champion manufacturing across South Yorkshire. The Master Cutler represents the region's industrial heartland in the City of London and on the international stage.

Dave Leary brings two decades of experience spanning metals, precision machining, rail and aerospace to his role at Castings Technology, having begun his career in banking before moving into manufacturing sales and business development. His father also worked across South Yorkshire's steel, forging and casting industries. Dave was inducted as a Freeman in recognition of his position within a manufacturing organisation operating in the region.

Dave said: "As a Sheffield boy, I'm proud of the talent and capability that South Yorkshire and the rest of the UK has within engineering and manufacturing. We've been pioneers of so much and I believe we can continue to be.”

Castings Technology is a leading UK manufacturer of titanium castings and is developing one of the world's largest-capacity titanium foundries at its new facility on Shepcote Lane, Sheffield.

Curtis Oxborough joined Castings Technology five years ago as a melting operative and has since progressed to training and development manager, where he leads the company's induction programme for new recruits. He was welcomed as an Associate Freeman in recognition of his career development and potential as a future senior leader in manufacturing.

The Associate Freeman route was established to support those developing their careers towards senior leadership roles in manufacturing, providing access to mentoring, peer networks and dedicated events within the Cutlers community.

The Cutlers network extends beyond manufacturing to include professionals from finance, legal and other sectors that support industrial growth.

Both were inducted by the Master Cutler, Professor Keith Jackson, and supported by three fellow Freemen from Castings Technology: managing director Richard Cook, executive chairman Kevin Parkin and marketing consultant Claire Taylor Foster.

Richard Cook, managing director, said: "We are proud to see Dave and Curtis inducted into the Company of Cutlers. It is another mark of quality in South Yorkshire manufacturing and reflects our commitment to investing in our people as we grow the business."

The inductions come during a period of significant growth for Castings Technology, which is investing £18 million in its manufacturing capabilities and workforce talent to meet rising demand from global customers across the aerospace, defence and energy sectors.