Building momentum for UK automation

IT'S BEEN just over a year since I accepted the role of Chairman of the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) Council, and in that time, we’ve made significant progress in strengthening the UK’s automation community. The past 12 months have been about preparation, collaboration, and laying the groundwork for lasting impact – all driven by our belief that transparency and shared purpose are essential to meaningful progress.

Driving the UK’s automation adoption strategy

Since the start of 2025, BARA and our parent organisation Automate UK has worked closely with key government departments – including the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and Innovate UK – as well as with industry bodies such as MAKE UK. These partnerships have ensured that automation and advanced manufacturing feature prominently within the UK’s industrial strategy as engines of growth and productivity.

In July Automate UK and BARA played a leading role in the consultation process for the government’s £40m Robot Adoption Hubs initiative, ensuring that the voices of automation suppliers and integrators were clearly represented. We now await the next stage of this development and how this funding will be used to support the practical initiatives we have proposed.

Delivering value to members

Our members have made it clear that they want tangible outcomes – and we’ve listened. This year we have introduced several initiatives designed to create measurable value:

End User Membership: For the first time, manufacturers can join Automate UK as full members. Their representatives will sit on the PPMA panel and on the BARA and UKIVA councils, ensuring that end-user perspectives directly influence strategy and future priorities.

BARA Integrator Standard: Set to launch at our inaugural BARA Conference this November, this standard will establish a recognised benchmark for automation solution providers. Alongside it, we are developing an online hub of accredited integrators to help manufacturers find trusted partners and give finance and insurance providers greater confidence when supporting automation projects.

Market Data Alignment: By synchronising UK data with International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reporting, we are providing more accurate insights into automation adoption trends. These insights are already helping members refine strategies and informing national policy discussions around manufacturing growth.

Stronger connections

BARA continues to strengthen its role as a platform for connection and collaboration. The Automation UK exhibition, held at the CBS Arena, has grown into one of the country’s leading showcases for automation solutions. Alongside this, we will launch our first BARA Conference at ABB in Milton Keynes on November 6th. We have also begun a series of regional engagement events to connect directly with system integrators and manufacturers across the UK.

Raising the UK’s voice internationally

Earlier this year, BARA council member Mike Wilson, representing the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC), was appointed to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) General Assembly Panel. This appointment gives the UK a stronger voice on the world stage and ensures that our members’ perspectives are represented in international discussions that shape robotics policy and data.

Looking ahead

We are now finalising a refreshed three-year strategy, to be unveiled in early 2026, focused on breaking down barriers to automation adoption, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that membership delivers clear, measurable value.

The foundations are now in place. Our next step is to build momentum – so the UK doesn’t just talk about automation, but truly embraces it.

www.automate-uk.com