Future-pro Programme
Developing Manchester’s next generation of business leaders.
Join us in shaping the future of business through mentorship and networking
Bridging the skills gap for a thriving economy
This programme works with employers, educators and policymakers to address Greater Manchester’s skills needs, ensuring the workforce of today and tomorrow is ready for change.
Talent pipeline development
Apprenticeships and training
Digital and technical skills
Workforce planning and diversity
Employer engagement
Upcoming Events
Explore our upcoming events and find out what’s on.
- Training Session
SKILLS ACADEMY Co-CREATION TBC
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
Leadership Essentials: Core Skills for Managers
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
Resilient Leadership: Emotional Intelligence in Action
- Skills
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
SKILLS ACADEMY RISING VIBE 2 – details TBC (Copy)
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
SKILLS ACADEMY RISING VIBE – details TBC
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
Skills Academy – TBC – Cornerstone 2
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
SKILLS ACADEMY TEMPLATE
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
Skills Academy – TBC – Cornerstone
- Skills
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.
- Training Session
Online Training: Performing Under Pressure: Managing Your Inner Chimp in Turbulent Skies
- Skills
Learning Objectives:
· • Understand the neuroscience of emotions and performance.
· • Learn to manage your ‘inner chimp’ to stay calm and composed under stress.
· • Apply strategies to turn pressure into confidence and clarity in high-stakes moments.
- Training Session
Online Training: Igniting Your Super Strengths: The Power Behind Lift-Off
- Skills
Learning Objectives:
· • Identify and define your personal and professional super strengths.
· • Learn how to harness these strengths as the fuel behind your performance.
· • Explore how strengths create clarity, confidence, and competitive advantage.
- Training Session
Online Training: Close With Confidence – Turning Deals Into Lasting Relationships
- Skills
Part of the Sales Geek x Pro Manchester training series, Negotiation isn’t about winning at all costs, it’s about creating outcomes where everyone leaves the table satisfied.
In this engaging session, we’ll explore both the science and the art of influence. You’ll learn how to use persuasive language to strengthen your pitch, apply proven psychological principles, and confidently move through each stage of the negotiation process.
With practical tools, interactive exercises, and real-world scenarios, this course will help you transform difficult conversations into collaborative agreements and turn obstacles into opportunities.
You’ll learn how to:
- Use persuasive wording to shape conversations and strengthen your proposals
- Apply the six principles of persuasion (reciprocity, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking, consensus) to your sales approach
- Navigate the five stages of negotiation with confidence
- Discover and apply your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)
- Spot and overcome the most common negotiation blockers
Who’s it for?
Sales professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who needs to influence and negotiate as part of their role. Whether you’re closing deals, managing partnerships, or navigating internal agreements, this session will give you the edge.
- Training Session
Online Training: How to Negotiate Business and Influence People
- Skills
Part of the Sales Geek x Pro Manchester training series, Negotiation isn’t about winning at all costs, it’s about creating outcomes where everyone leaves the table satisfied.
In this engaging session, we’ll explore both the science and the art of influence. You’ll learn how to use persuasive language to strengthen your pitch, apply proven psychological principles, and confidently move through each stage of the negotiation process.
With practical tools, interactive exercises, and real-world scenarios, this course will help you transform difficult conversations into collaborative agreements and turn obstacles into opportunities.
You’ll learn how to:
- Use persuasive wording to shape conversations and strengthen your proposals
- Apply the six principles of persuasion (reciprocity, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking, consensus) to your sales approach
- Navigate the five stages of negotiation with confidence
- Discover and apply your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)
- Spot and overcome the most common negotiation blockers
Who’s it for?
Sales professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who needs to influence and negotiate as part of their role. Whether you’re closing deals, managing partnerships, or navigating internal agreements, this session will give you the edge.
- Training Session
Online Training: Inclusive Leadership – Unlocking Potential Through Equity & Belonging
- Skills
How leaders can move beyond “tick-box” diversity to build teams that thrive.
● Embedding equity into leadership.
● Recognising bias and fostering belonging.
● Strategies that elevate both performance and wellbeing.
- Training Session
Online Training: Objection Handling Like A Sales Geek
- Skills
Part of the Sales Geek x Pro Manchester training series, Objections aren’t roadblocks, they’re stepping stones.
Hearing “no” can feel like the end of the road, but in reality, objections are often a sign of interest. They show that a customer is engaging, testing, and searching for reassurance. The best salespeople know how to lean into objections, uncover what’s really going on, and turn challenges into chances to build trust.
In this dynamic session, you’ll explore the psychology behind objections and learn proven methods to handle them effectively. From practical objection-handling frameworks to simple questioning techniques, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to navigate even the toughest conversations.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand why objections happen and how to interpret them
- Spot the difference between a true objection and a simple obstacle
- Apply practical objection-handling frameworks such as C.R.U.S.H, EAR, and Feel-Felt-Found
- Reframe challenges as opportunities to demonstrate value and build stronger relationships
Who’s it for?
Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who want to become more resilient and persuasive. If you want to stop fearing objections and start using them as fuel for better conversations, this session is for you.
- Training Session
Online Training: Coaching Yourself and Others – The Power of Questioning Skills
- Skills
As a coach, I see the power of coaching conversations but often work with leaders and business people who have fallen into a habit of telling rather than asking. This might be quicker in the moment but often stilts growth and development – we might think of it as the very opposite of empowering people.
In this interactive workshop, Cath will introduce some basic coaching techniques that will enable you to hold coaching conversations with others in your organisation. And there will be plenty of time to practise the techniques in pairs and small groups and a push to become a better listener.
These techniques allow team members to communicate more effectively but also to access ideas that otherwise might not be expressed, and to overcome barriers that might be holding back progress.
A greater awareness of different questioning styles and, indeed, the power of silence can also be extremely beneficial in conversations with existing and potential customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
Finally, but importantly, knowledge of these techniques also allows anybody to become their own coach. They feed into the development of the habit of reflection and help you move from the accidental to the strategic in your own career or business.
Attendees will leave with practical tools that they can deploy immediately to improve communication in their working lives.
- Training Session
Online Training: Standing Out In The Crowd
- Skills
Part of the Sales Geek x Pro Manchester training series, Strive not just to sell, but to be of value.
In crowded markets, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to how well you can show the value you bring.
This interactive session will give you the tools to define your true value, position it effectively, and present it in a way that makes customers sit up and listen.
- Training Session
How to Lead Teams With Confidence – Wherever They Are
- Skills
As hybrid and remote work becomes the norm, leaders need clear, practical skills to keep teams motivated, connected and performing at their best.
This interactive workshop blends evidence‑based thinking with tools you can apply immediately—whether you manage people across locations, collaborate digitally, or want to strengthen your leadership foundations.
Across 2.5 hours, you’ll explore what effective hybrid leadership looks like today, from inclusive team behaviours to communication, delegation and clarity. You’ll leave with techniques to build connection, lead consistently and help your team use AI confidently and appropriately.
- Training Session
Online Training: Resilient Leadership in Uncertain Times
- Skills
How to lead with confidence, adaptability, and humanity when the ground is constantly shifting.
● Building personal and emotional resilience as a leader.
● Strategies to prevent burnout (for self + teams).
● Practical frameworks ( Rivers to resilience framework ) for decision-making under pressure.
- Training Session
Online Training: Performing Under Pressure: Managing Your Inner Chimp in Turbulent Skies
- Skills
- Training Session
Online Training: Igniting Your Super Strengths: The Power Behind Lift-Off
- Skills
- Training Session
Online Training: Close With Confidence – Turning Deals Into Lasting Relationships
- Skills
- Training Session
Online Training: Inclusive Leadership – Unlocking Potential Through Equity & Belonging
- Skills
- Training Session
Online Training: Coaching Yourself and Others – The Power of Questioning Skills
- Skills
Who it’s for…
Financial institutions, legal firms, consultancies, and professional service providers.
Our Committee
Becoming a member of a pro-manchester committee is an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of Greater Manchester’s business community.
You’ll work alongside industry leaders and experts to co-create activity, share insight and drive initiatives that create real opportunity for members and the wider region.
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
As a representative of Finance Isle of Man and Fintech committee member at Pro-Manchester, I can confidently say that this network has been instrumental in building meaningful business relationships across Greater Manchester and beyond. Pro-Manchester provides an exceptional platform for professionals to connect, collaborate, and create genuine opportunities for growth.
What sets Pro-Manchester apart is its commitment to fostering authentic business relationships rather than superficial networking. The quality of members, the calibre of events, and the genuine spirit of collaboration make it an invaluable resource for any business looking to establish a strong presence in the North-West.
From the Isle of Man perspective, Pro-Manchester has been crucial in helping us bridge the gap between our island’s financial & professional services sector and Greater Manchester’s dynamic business ecosystem. The connections we’ve made through this network have led to real partnerships and tangible business outcomes.
I would recommend Pro-Manchester to any serious business professional looking to expand their network with purpose and integrity.
Paul Blake
Senior Financial Services Executive at Isle of Man Department of Enterprise
How to Get Involved
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