Regional leaders showcase how collaboration is accelerating the UK’s industrial strategy at ‘Made in Greater Manchester’

Leaders from industry, government, academia and civic organisations came together on 25 March at Manchester Metropolitan University for the Made in Greater Manchester event, highlighting the city-region’s role in driving the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

Delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Growth Company, University of Manchester and University of Salford, the event demonstrated how coordinated, place-based collaboration is accelerating economic growth and innovation.

Greater Manchester continues to outperform national productivity trends and is recognised as a leading testbed for aligning universities, business and civic leadership to deliver “good growth”. This approach is focused on five frontier sectors: advanced manufacturing, creative industries, digital and AI, health innovation, and low carbon.

Speakers emphasised the importance of aligning investment, skills, research and business support at the city-region level to drive long-term competitiveness. The event reinforced Greater Manchester’s strength as a collaborative place where cross-sector partnerships translate strategy into delivery.

From an Institute of Place Management perspective, the event reinforced the importance of place management as the connective infrastructure – bringing together governance, data, skills and partnerships to translate national strategy into local delivery. The ability to align investment, research, business support and civic leadership at the city-region level reflects a mature place management model, where collaboration is structured and outcomes-focused.