May 18, 2026
MSSL supports the development of female leaders through the Santander mentoring programme.
MSSL’s Operations and Finance Director Emily Bliss has been selected to take part in the Santander Women Business Leaders' Mentoring Programme for 2026.
She joins a cohort of experienced business leaders volunteering their time to support ambitious female founders and business owners across the UK.
The programme connects mentees with established mentors for one-to-one sessions, peer networking and virtual masterclasses.
For Emily, it is a natural extension of a long-held commitment to giving back to the business community that helped shape her own career.
As a leader in the electrical manufacturing sector, Emily understands first-hand how powerful the right support can be. In an industry where men significantly outnumber women, she has seen for herself what the right guidance, at the right moment, can unlock.
Through networks like the East Midlands Chamber's Enterprising Women, Emily has built partnerships, gained insight and drawn on the knowledge of others who have walked similar paths.
In 2022 she was named Business Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women, recognising the impact of her leadership across both Michael Smith Switchgear and AVW Fabrications.
Emily said: "I myself have benefited from the support of other women in leadership positions. So it's been a long-standing intention of mine to pass on my knowledge and experience as I know how valuable it can be."
The Santander programme brings together female founders, business owners and majority shareholders who have been trading for a minimum of 18 months, matching them with mentors by experience and need.
Emily has spoken openly about starting out in a sector where female faces were rare and recognising early on that this represented not a barrier, but an opportunity.
Bringing more women into manufacturing, and into business leadership more broadly, strengthens the talent pool, improves decision-making, and supports the long-term growth of UK industry.
Programmes like Santander's don't just support individual businesses - they shift the wider culture.
Emily added: “As a business, we see standards and quality going hand in hand with community engagement. That’s why we invest in apprenticeships, sustainability and industry collaboration.
“I’m excited to be part of this programme - it’s a chance to share what we’ve learned and learn from others too. Strong industries and communities are built on shared knowledge, not just individual success.”
Find out more about the Santander Women Business Leaders' Mentoring Programme, here santander.co.uk/breakthrough.
