Who we are
We’re the gateway to Greater Manchester’s business community. For 40 years, pro-manchester has been supporting, representing, and connecting professionals from every corner of the economy. We create opportunities for collaboration, networking, growth, and thought leadership.
Our Mission & History
To build a fully inclusive, connected, ambitious business community across Greater Manchester.
Our mission is to support and drive the prosperity of Greater Manchester’s business community through powerful connections, sector insights, and inclusive initiatives. Established in 1986, pro-manchester has grown from a professional services network to a vibrant, cross-sector organisation committed to innovation, diversity, and sustainability.
What we do
Run 150+ events a year
Lead 24 sector-specific programmes
Offer free weekly support and advice through our SME Club
Promote and share the region’s latest news and research
Develop talent through our Academy and Future pro-manchester programmes
Support collaboration across industries
Champion innovation, inclusion and sustainability
Our Values
- Collaboration – We bring people, businesses, and sectors together to drive shared success.
- Innovation – We champion forward-thinking ideas and support transformative growth.
- Inclusion – We are committed to equity, diversity, and creating a welcoming environment for all.
- Leadership – We lead by example in representing the voice of the Greater Manchester business community.
- Sustainability – We take responsibility for our environmental impact and aim for long-term positive change. We also champion Greater Manchester’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2038.
- Trust / Integrity – We are a reliable and respected voice for the business community. We act transparently, ethically, and in the best interests of our members and community.
- Empowerment – We support our members and partners to grow, lead, and make a difference.
- Fun – We believe that enjoying what we do is essential to building strong relationships, inspiring creativity, and fostering a positive, engaging culture. We bring energy, personality, and a sense of enjoyment to everything we do
- Team – We succeed together. Collaboration, trust, and mutual support are at the heart of everything we do
- Quality – We take pride in everything we do. We’re committed to delivering high standards, attention to detail, and real value for our community.
Our story / Journey / Timeline
1986
We’ve come a long way since 1986. Back then, pro-manchester was government-funded, hosting around 50 events a year to connect and support the financial and professional community in Greater Manchester.
2006
By 2006, we’d launched future pro-manchester, our way of giving young professionals a voice, a platform, and a place to grow.
2008
Then the 2008 financial crisis hit. Our funding was pulled, and we had to move quickly.
2010
We launched our very first sector group, Creative pro, which became the blueprint for every other programme that followed. Today, we’re proud to run 24 specialist programmes, supporting businesses of every shape and size.
2012
We introduced the SME Club, marking a shift a creating a new lead generation tool for our members. As a result of the programmes and the SME Club, our membership started to diversify, and so did our voice.
2018
Long-time team members Sam Booth and Nicola McCormick stepped up to lead the organisation bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and even bigger ambitions.
2019
Equity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability became part of our core mission.
2022
Then came COVID. Like everyone, we had to adapt fast, and we did. We moved everything online, kept our network connected, and didn’t miss a beat. That same year, we launched the Healthhub, which grew into our Wellbeing Champions programme in 2022, putting workplace wellbeing at the top of the agenda.
2025
Now it’s 2025, and we’re bigger, stronger and more ambitious than ever. We’ve launched the pro-manchester Academy, our new dedicated Charity programme and expanded into the regions and we’re not stopping there, in fact we’re just getting started.
Community Impact
Commitments Page
Our EDI Commitment
pro-manchester is committed to being a champion for Equity, diversity, and inclusion across Greater Manchester. We will lead with intention, advocating for inclusive practices, amplifying underrepresented voices, and working with our network to build a fairer, more equitable business community for all.
Racial Equity Commitment
pro-manchester is committed to actively dismantling racism and promoting inclusivity in all facets of the pro-manchester business network. We pledge to continuously educate ourselves and others, amplify marginalized voices, and take concrete actions to create a more equitable and anti-racist community.
Our Environmental Commitment
pro-manchester is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2038. We recognise the urgent need for climate action and are taking meaningful steps to reduce our environmental impact. Through sustainable practices, responsible partnerships, and continuous improvement, we aim to support a greener future for our organisation, our members, and Greater Manchester.
Our Innovation Commitment
pro-manchester is committed to championing innovation across Greater Manchester. We will lead by example, amplifying forward-thinking ideas, supporting innovative businesses, and driving collaboration to position our city region as a hub of creativity, progress, and economic growth.
Our Quality Commitment
pro-manchester is committed to delivering high standards, attention to detail, and real value for our community.