Midland Lead becomes a Real Living Wage Employer
On the 6th of May 2026, Midland Lead proudly became an accredited Real Living Wage Employer, marking another important milestone in our ongoing commitment to being an employer of choice within UK manufacturing.
As part of this commitment, everyone working at our lead recycling facility will receive a minimum hourly wage of £13.45. This is higher than the UK government’s minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over, which currently stands at £12.71 per hour.
This commitment is particularly significant in the East Midlands, where 17.2% of workers earn less than they need to get by, with more than 348,000 jobs paying below the real Living Wage. Despite this, Midland Lead has chosen to go further by committing to fair pay and supporting a decent standard of living for all employees.
The Living Wage Foundation’s real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate that is independently calculated based on the cost of living. It rises annually in line with living costs and gives employers confidence that they are paying a wage that meets everyday needs, not just the statutory minimum.
By joining more than 16,000 accredited employers across the UK, Midland Lead is part of a national movement that has delivered over £4.1 billion in pay rises for low-paid workers since 2011 and made a meaningful difference to millions of lives.
Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, commented: “We’re delighted that Midland Lead has joined the movement of over 16,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and believe that everyone needs to be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living.”
At Midland Lead, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Becoming a Real Living Wage Employer builds on years of continued investment in well-being, skills development and employee engagement — key pillars of our people strategy and wider sustainability journey.
Francoise Derksen, Managing Director at Midland Lead, added: “Like many manufacturers, we’re operating in challenging and uncertain times, where balancing the needs of the business with rising costs is not always easy. However, by becoming a Real Living Wage Employer we believe we’re doing the right thing by our people. It’s an important way for us to support our team, recognise their contribution and reinforce our commitment to being a fair and responsible employer.”
From structured pay and progression frameworks to well-being initiatives and health‑focused manufacturing practices, we believe a happy, healthy and engaged team is essential to long‑term business success. This accreditation formally recognises the standards we already strive to uphold every day.
As we continue to grow, we are always keen to welcome new team members to our manufacturing site in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Day‑shift roles start from £13.50 per hour, with a team‑designed working pattern of four nine‑hour days and an early Friday finish after just four hours.
If you’re looking to join a business that genuinely values its people and invests in their future, please get in touch with our Operations Excellence Manager, Charlotte Summers via email.
