Last week marked a significant milestone for business collaboration in the North West at 2024’s first Swedish Footprint event, held at University Academy 92 Manchester Campus and hosted by The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in partnership with workplace furniture solutions supplier AJ Products (UK) Ltd. The event for Manchester-based Swedish business leaders and North West organisations highlighted the distinctive strengths of the North West’s business landscape. It explored investment opportunities, leveraging the North West’s diverse resources, ensuring the right skills for the future and initiatives to enhance workplace wellbeing.
Heledd Redondo, Head of Events & Programmes, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK, said: “We aim to create meeting places for businesses by businesses, with timely access to experts to gain information, inspiration and knowledge. Recognising that the Swedish business footprint reaches far beyond London and acknowledging the North West is today one of the UK’s top three destinations for foreign direct investment, we joined forces with our member AJ Products for an evening of industry highlights and knowledge sharing. We believe that these collaborations are the fuel for long-term sustainable success and solutions.”
The North West region has become a magnet for innovation and growth, boasting a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and established companies. This dynamic blend of talent, strategic location and supportive policies nurtures business investment in the area. Manchester is home to innovative universities investing in relevant skillsets that include cognitive and social-based skills necessary for workplaces of the future.
On skills for the future, Sara Prowse, UA92 CEO, commented: “Today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders, and it’s important they are equipped with resilience, creativity, and curiosity to adapt and thrive in a business world that is changing more rapidly than ever before.”
The event’s central themes of innovation, collaboration and progression were supported by the display of AJ Products’ Active Office of the Future in the new Digital Academy at UA92’s campus, which has been a permanent fixture in the UA92 office since its successful trial last year.
Helen Beebe, Managing Director of AJ Products (UK) Ltd, said, “The investments being made in the North West in infrastructure and people are fostering environments in which businesses can flourish. The region’s strong talent pool is being recognised by organisations with strategic policies in place to invest in staff wellbeing, which drives productivity, cultivates a healthier working environment and ensures that they have the resources they need for long-term growth.”