Invest in Greater Manchester

Invest in Greater Manchester
Name	Invest in Greater Manchester
Type	Regional investment promotion
Region	Greater Manchester
Established	2010s
Headquarters	Manchester

Invest in Greater Manchester is a regional investment promotion initiative focused on attracting domestic and international capital to Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the City of Manchester. It promotes opportunities across Salford, Trafford, Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Stockport while liaising with institutions such as Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and development partners including Manchester Airports Group and British Business Bank. The programme aligns with national frameworks like the Department for Business and Trade, regional plans such as the Northern Powerhouse strategy and funding sources including UK Shared Prosperity Fund and European Investment Bank instruments.

Overview

Invest in Greater Manchester operates as a collaboration between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority mayoral office held by Andy Burnham (politician), local authorities including the City of Salford, business groups such as the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and civic institutions like Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester. It packages prospects across established districts—Manchester City Centre, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, Science and Industry Museum precincts—and emerging zones including Northern Quarter, Ancoats and the Oxford Road Corridor. The initiative bridges private investors from markets such as China, United States, Germany, India and United Arab Emirates with municipal programmes like Mayoral Development Corporations and national mechanisms including the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.

Economic Sectors and Opportunities

Key target sectors promoted include advanced manufacturing clusters anchored by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, digital and creative industries concentrated in MediaCityUK and Manchester Digital, life sciences hubs tied to Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and Citylabs, financial and professional services in Spinningfields, and renewable energy and clean tech projects aligned with the Net Zero agenda. Complementary opportunities span logistics around Manchester Airport and Port Salford, construction linked to programmes such as the Housing Infrastructure Fund, and tourism investments leveraging attractions like Old Trafford, Manchester Arena, Science and Industry Museum and Imperial War Museum North.

Investment Incentives and Support

Investors are offered tailored support in partnership with agencies including the Department for Business and Trade, UK Export Finance, Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and financial intermediaries like the British Business Bank. Incentive mechanisms promoted comprise enterprise zones such as Manchester Enterprise Zone, tax relief instruments exemplified by Business Rates Relief schemes, and capital support from bodies like the European Investment Bank and Homes England. The programme also highlights area-based initiatives such as Town Deal and Levelling Up Fund bids coordinated with local authorities and stakeholders like CLES (Centre for Local Economic Strategies).

Infrastructure and Transport

Greater Manchester’s infrastructure offering is framed around projects including HS2 (High Speed 2) corridor connectivity proposals, the Manchester Metrolink tram network, strategic road arteries like the M60 motorway, rail hubs including Manchester Piccadilly station and air links via Manchester Airport. Waterfront regeneration at Salford Quays and logistics growth at Port of Liverpool links and Port Salford are promoted alongside utilities upgrades financed via partnerships with National Grid and United Utilities. Major transport programmes referenced include the Bee Network active travel proposals and integration efforts with national programmes administered by Network Rail and the Department for Transport.

Talent, Education and Research

The initiative emphasizes talent pipelines from higher education institutions including The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music and University of Bolton, with research translation through entities such as Manchester Science Partnerships, Graphene Flagship collaborations and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. Apprenticeship and skills partnerships involve organisations like Skills Hub, Greater Manchester Combined Authority skills teams and national schemes such as T-Level and Apprenticeships (England), while innovation support networks include Innovate UK, Tech Nation and regional incubators like The Sharp Project.

Case Studies and Major Projects

Notable projects promoted as successes include the redevelopment of MediaCityUK anchored by BBC and ITV plc, the Spinningfields business district featuring firms such as KPMG, HSBC UK and Barclays, the Northern Gateway regeneration programme, and research estates like Citylabs linked to NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research). Other high-profile investments highlighted include commercial schemes by Bruntwood, residential developments by Panther Securities and infrastructure works associated with Manchester Airport Group expansion and Manchester Ship Canal related freight projects.

Governance and Regulatory Environment

Oversight and coordination are provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the elected Mayor of Greater Manchester office, local councils such as Manchester City Council and regulatory bodies including Historic England for heritage conservation and Environment Agency for flood risk management. Planning and consent processes involve Planning Inspectorate (England) procedures, strategic planning frameworks like the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and compliance with national legislation including Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Building Regulations 2010. Investment facilitation engages with legal and advisory firms, chambers including the British Chambers of Commerce and professional services from networks such as Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Category:Economy of Greater Manchester