Welcome to
pro-manchester
The leading business development organisation in the North West
Connecting the region’s most ambitious professionals and organisations. Through our events, programmes and extensive network, we help businesses grow and collaborate supporting economic growth across Greater Manchester.
Whether you’re a startup, scale-up or established enterprise, we provide the platforms, partnerships and programmes to help your business thrive.
Trusted by top brands worldwide
Events
- Dinner
Corporate Finance Mid-Year review
Our Six-Month Corporate Finance Review and Industry Social features insights from experts who will review the past six months of deals in the North West, explore notable shifts and transformations within the corporate finance market and an examination of how political factors may affect the corporate finance landscape
We also will delve into the deal-making process, discussing its evolution, key opportunities, challenges, and future predictions.
Following the presentations, enjoy drinks, finger buffet, and a fantastic opportunity to get social with over 200 professionals from corporate finance, private equity, and financial and professional services.
Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and connect with industry leaders. We look forward to seeing you there!
Agenda:
- 14.00 – 14.30: Arrival, tea/coffee & networking
- 14.30 – 14.35: Welcome
- 14.35 – 15.15: Panel 1 – An update on the CF market
- 15.15 – 15.45: Fireside chat
- 15.45 – 16.25: Panel 2 – Private Equity in Focus
- 16.25 – 16.30: Close
- 16.30 – 18.00: Drinks with finger buffet & networking
*Costs include tea & coffee on arrival, finger buffet and one drinks voucher per person
- Meeting
MORE CONTENT NEEDED – Carbon Literacy & Hospitality: From Awareness to Impact
- Dinner
Lunch with Caroline Simpson – Group CEO of the GMCA
Join us for an exclusive keynote with Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). In this session, Caroline will provide a comprehensive “state of the region” update, outlining the strategic roadmap for Manchester’s continued growth, innovation, and social reform.
Since stepping into her role leading the GMCA, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Caroline has been at the heart of the UK’s most ambitious devolution journey. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how Greater Manchester is leveraging its new trailblazer powers to build a thriving city-region where everyone can live a good life.
- Seminar
Standing Out in a Crowded Market: Winning More of the Right Deals
Standing out in a crowded market is becoming increasingly difficult, especially as buyers grow more informed, cautious, and selective. This session will help you strengthen your sales approach so it better connects with what today’s customers actually value.
We’ll explore how to communicate your offer with greater clarity, making it easier for prospects to understand why you’re the right choice. You’ll also learn how to manage longer decision-making cycles, maintain momentum in your pipeline, and keep opportunities moving forward.
If you’re looking to improve results without increasing pressure on pricing, you’ll leave with practical techniques you can apply immediately.
- Training Session
SKILLS ACADEMY Co-CREATION TBC
Through this workshop you will become better at having challenging conversations, making them easier and delivering better outcomes and performance. You’ll understand the role conflict can play, how to mitigate and limit conflict through active listening, clear and empathetic communication.
Designed for all those who have difficult conversations at work such as delivering bad news, liaising with challenging customers or leading disciplinary hearings. You’ll learn and practice practical strategies to develop psychologically safe environments for difficult conversations through the 3 stages of preparation, execution and transition.
This interactive, solutions focused workshop is grounded in the latest thinking and can lead to fCMgr status of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Honey & Morgan is an Accredited CMI Centre.
The CMI is the only Chartered professional body in the field of Management and Leadership. They act as a benchmark for excellence, ensuring that leadership and management training is rigorous, practical, and aligned with real-world business needs.
At the end of this workshop you will receive a Honey & Morgan Certificate of attendance to demonstrate your CPD learning hours. You will also have the option to engage in further learning for to gain a CMI Certificate of Achievement and develop your skills and understanding of the topic for £60. If you choose to take 3 of Honey & Morgan short courses that are run in partnership with Pro Manchester, you can achieve fCMgr status with the CMI.
This extra learning offers an online learning experience including a mix of practical tools, case studies, videos and real world insights will enhance delegates’ understanding of the topic. You will be supported by Honey & Morgan to complete activities that demonstrate the impact of your learning to your organisation.
- Seminar
Creating Content That Converts, Not Just Fills Feeds
Most digital activity looks busy but delivers very little. More content, more channels, more spend, yet results don’t always follow. This session is designed for Greater Manchester businesses that want to move past the noise and focus on what actually drives engagement, leads, and growth.
We’ll break down what’s working right now across content, paid media, and brand, using real examples to show how small changes in messaging, creative, and targeting can significantly improve performance. You’ll learn how to spot where your current activity is underperforming, how to create campaigns that connect with the right audience, and how to measure what really matters.
You’ll leave with practical ideas you can apply immediately, whether that’s refining your proposition, improving campaign performance, or getting more return from your existing budget. If your digital activity feels busy but not effective, this session will help you reset and refocus on what delivers real results.
- Dinner
EDI Lunch 2026
Join us for our 2026 EDI Lunch, a forward‑thinking gathering designed to spark meaningful action across equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Connect with fellow professionals, gain insights from expert speakers, and leave with new tools and ideas to strengthen your organisation’s EDI ambitions in 2026 and beyond.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of a bold, inclusive conversation.
More details to follow!
- Meeting
Beyond Compliance: Creating Inclusive Menopause Workplace Support
Menopause affects people in every type of workplace. Nine in ten say symptoms affect their work and one in ten leave their jobs because of what they are experiencing. Many do not feel supported and many do not recognise their symptoms as menopause at all. The result is silence, fear and a real impact on confidence, attendance and progression.
From April 2027, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will require employers with 250 or more staff to have a Menopause Action Plan. Many organisations still do not know this is coming. Even fewer understand how to make sure support reaches people in real roles and real environments.
The Menopause Charity provides trusted information. We work across communities, workplaces and health settings to improve understanding of menopause and aid the conversation. Our insight shows that people are still scared to speak, psychological symptoms are often misunderstood and those with the least power in a workplace are the least likely to ask for help. These issues are seen across all sectors and all job types.
During the session we explore:
· The reality for employees today, including fear of judgement, lack of awareness, barriers for non-desk workers and the needs of those facing greater health inequalities.
- What the 2027 Menopause Action Plan requires and how the principles can support organisations of every size.
- What good support looks like, including confident managers, inclusive information and a culture where people feel safe to speak early and seek help.
By the end of the session you will understand the challenges people are facing, the gaps that still exist and the practical steps organisations of any size can take now to improve support and strengthen workplace culture.
- Training Session
Resilient Leadership: Emotional Intelligence in Action
This practical half-day session helps leaders understand how their emotions, mindset, and behaviour shape team performance – particularly under pressure. It combines emotional intelligence and resilience to support leaders in staying grounded, communicating effectively, and maintaining standards during challenging situations.
Participants will explore how their emotional responses influence others, how pressure impacts decision-making and behaviour, and how to shift from reacting to responding with intention. The session provides practical tools to manage emotional load, build resilience, and create a team environment based on trust, accountability, and psychological safety.
Through real-world scenarios, reflection, and discussion, leaders will develop greater self-awareness and leave with a personalised approach to managing pressure, supporting their team, and leading with consistency and confidence.
- Training Session
Leadership Essentials: Core Skills for Managers
This practical half day session is designed for new and developing managers, or those looking to refresh the fundamentals of effective leadership. It supports participants to build confidence in leading people day to day – from setting clear expectations and empowering their team, to handling feedback and performance conversations with clarity and care.
- Dinner
International Women’s Day Lunch 2027
Join us for our International Women’s Day Lunch 2027, a dynamic annual celebration dedicated to reflection, solidarity, and collective progress.
Our event will proudly align with the United Nations theme for 2027.
Hosted by the Pro‑Women Committee, the 2027 programme will build on the energy of last year’s incredible event, bringing together an even broader community.
And as always, everyone is welcome. Regardless of gender identity, background, or lived experience, this celebration is a space where all voices are valued and all people are celebrated.
Stay tuned—More details and speaker announcements coming later this year!
- Meeting
Added on CV / WP : Date TBC IT, Cyber & AI: Building Secure Foundations for Smarter Growth
Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, but for many organisations, the challenge remains the same – how to ensure your IT estate is secure, scalable, and truly enabling business performance.
In this session, we will explore the key IT, Cyber Security, and AI trends, and what they mean for UK businesses today.
We’ll break down the importance of getting the fundamentals right – from robust IT foundations and effective use of Microsoft 365, through to aligning your cyber security posture with frameworks such as Cyber Essentials.
Finally, we’ll look at how organisations can move beyond the basics to unlock real value through AI and automation – improving efficiency, reducing risk, and driving smarter decision-making.
This session is designed for business leaders looking to better understand how to maximise the value of IT, while ensuring their organisation remains secure and future-ready.
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Unlock Exclusive Membership Advantages Today
Membership with pro-manchester gives you access to a powerful network, exclusive events and opportunities to raise your profile. It’s your gateway to connect, collaborate and contribute to the success of the region’s business community.
Events
pro-manchester runs over 150 events each year, from industry roundtables and sector-specific conferences to social networking and professional development. There is something for everyone.
Committees
Our committee’s made up of members firms help us to shape and steer the type of activity we deliver. You can see details of our committee’s here.
Networking
A network of 350+ organisations and 13,000+ individuals who are shaping the region’s future.
Speaking opportunities
Members can show their expertise by speaking at a pro-manchester event or webinar that we will produce and promote to the membership for you.
Members Spotlight
Schroders Personal Wealth
Schroders Personal Wealth (SPW) is a national wealth management business. Backed by two of the most cestablished names in the UK financial services industry,
the UK’s biggest banking group, Lloyds Banking Group,
and one of Europe’s biggest investment firms, Schroders.
Member testimonials
Pro Manchester is more than a network, it is a community! A community which is connected, engaged through events. It has year on year transformed the Manchester business community, by offering opportunities to ethnic minorities and a meaningful step-up for the those early on in their career and bringing businesses together! If you are not in this network, get signed up, it is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
Dr Amna Khan
Senior Lecturer in Marketing specialising in Consumer Behaviour and Retailing at Manchester Metropolitan University
From the moment I first connected with pro-manchester, I felt genuinely welcomed. Their warmth, integrity and commitment to building a stronger North West business community shines through in all they set out to achieve.
pro-manchester goes far beyond simply connecting people as real, lasting relationships are formed when collaborating with the team. It’s a space where you feel supported not only in business goals, but in your personal growth too. You benefit from the team’s creative vision, their innovative approach and their genuine belief in the people they work with. That kind of environment doesn’t solely open doors, it empowers you to walk through them with confidence and clarity.
Through the panels, committees and events I have been a part of, I’ve not only expanded my network but also found allies, collaborators and friends. The conversations are thought provoking, the collaboration is authentic, and the ripple effect of their work extends far beyond the event.
pro-manchester is much, much more than a network; it’s a catalyst for progress. I’m proud to be an ambassador and to champion the incredible work they do, supporting and inspiring businesses while shaping a future that we can all be excited about.
Alex Clapp
Founder of Claritee Group Ltd
Pro-Manchester is like having a secret business ninja in your back pocket, picking up subjects that support businesses and growth, promote the region, and showcase the best of Manchester. Every place needs a Pro-Ninja!
Andrea Winders
Head of Inward Investment for Life Sciences and Healthcare at MIDAS Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency
What I love about Pro-Manchester is how genuinely welcoming it is. The events always feel very purpose driven, so it’s easy to meet people and learn from different perspectives! The panel discussions are brilliant, with really interesting topics and well-represented speakers.
The opportunity to speak to large audiences at events like Trailblazing Tech, while building a company in my twenties, has been an amazing experience. The community is not only welcoming and supportive but also exceptionally well-organized and professional.
Caroline Welsh
Operations Director at Leafyard
As a relative newbie to the city of Manchester and its business community, pro-manchester has provided me with an invaluable networking starting point to build my professional network and relationships. My involvement with the pro-manchester corporate finance committee has given me and Bermans excellent exposure and the opportunity to have an insight and understanding of the ongoings and developments in the Manchester CF community. The quality, variety and volume of networking events pro-manchester hosts is second to none.
Laura McMorland
Partner at Bermans
Pro-Manchester has been a fantastic partner for NetZero.co.uk. Their network, events, and insights have connected us with like-minded businesses across the region, helping us share our vision for a low-carbon future. Having been office neighbours, we know the team well and their professionalism and passion for supporting Greater Manchester’s business community shines through in everything they do, and we’re proud to be part of it.
Mark Hammond
Founder at Net Zero
Pro-Manchester has been a fantastic partner for NetZero.co.uk. Their network, events, and insights have connected us with like-minded businesses across the region, helping us share our vision for a low-carbon future. Having been office neighbours, we know the team well and their professionalism and passion for supporting Greater Manchester’s business community shines through in everything they do, and we’re proud to be part of it.