Review of 2025
As we approach the end of 2025, it’s a time to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to what’s next. This year brought significant global shifts: tariffs and trade uncertainty dominated headlines, AI was named TIME’s Person of the Year as its influence grew across industries, and Greater Manchester celebrated major milestones, from plans to expand the Bee Network, the exciting news that the BRIT Awards are coming to our city and of course, Robert De Niro's appearance ahead of the significant Nobu Hotel and Residences project, building the city's tallest skyscraper!
Before the festive season begins, we want to start by expressing our sincere gratitude to our community for your patience, understanding, and support during what has been an eventful year. Like many businesses, we faced challenging market conditions, rising costs, and uncertainty. These realities required us to make difficult decisions to secure the Chamber’s future. Today, we stand on a stronger foundation, ready to move into 2026 with renewed energy and ambition. We’re excited to work with you, represent you and champion you to scale, grow, and elevate Greater Manchester's business community.
The world around us is evolving rapidly, AI adoption, climate change, and a complex geopolitical landscape are all reshaping how we live and work. There has never been a more important time to be part of something bigger: to make your voice heard and to champion positive change. With the Mayor’s Good Growth Plan, an ambitious skills agenda, and the Bee Network expansion, Greater Manchester has a bright future, and your Chamber is here to help you seize every opportunity.
Our role is clear: to support business growth, enable innovation, expand international reach, and represent your voice of business, clear and direct to those who need to hear it.
What’s coming in 2026?
• A brand-new website designed to transform the member experience and maximise ROI.
• A refreshed events programme featuring your favourites alongside exciting new additions.
• New team members joining us to provide even more support for your business.
• A full Refresh of the Local Skills Improvement Plan - shaping the future of skills policy and provision - make your voice count for your business!
• Update on our Campaign for Business - opportunities to join us in influencing policymakers to create the conditions your business needs to grow and succeed at home and overseas!
• New training courses to our International Trade schedule - making it easier for you to upskill your teams.
• A brand news Digital Carnet service launch!
Finally, we want to acknowledge Clive Memmott OBE, who steps down at the end of this year after an extraordinary 15 years of service. Clive’s leadership, resilience, and dedication have shaped the Chamber and the Greater Manchester business community. Clive, we will do you proud as we continue to grow and build on the legacy you’ve created and we'll continue to represent the voice of business, just as you have done.
Steps have been taken to begin the process of appointing Clive's replacement, but in the meantime, from your new leadership team, Sarah, Chris, and Lucy, and the Senior Management Team, we promise to go from strength to strength, working harder than ever to deliver the best opportunities and take you with us every step of the way.
Have a wonderful, well-deserved break, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026.
