Jo Ahmed of Deloitte will be vice-chairman of the body that creates links between the private and public sectors
Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig has launched a new business advisory council with Manchester United’s stadium boss as chairman – and invited the city’s business leaders to join its work.
A new Greater Manchester Business Alliance has been created to strengthen links between the private sector, the mayor and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). It is the successor of the previous business board of the area and the former Local Enterprise Partnership.
Collette Roche, executive director, new stadium development at Manchester United, has been named as chairman while Jo Ahmed MBE, senior practice partner for Deloitte in the North West, will become deputy chairman.
Bev Craig is now calling for expressions of interest from business leaders with “diverse perspectives, experience and sector expertise” who want to join the board
He said: “Greater Manchester has become the fastest-growing urban area in the UK and the best place in the country to do business – a success that has been built on strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. The new Business Alliance aims to build on this legacy, creating a forum that puts the voice of business at the heart of local decision-making.
“I look forward to working with Collette and Jo to ensure we have a meaningful and productive dialogue, with members who reflect the Greater Manchester business community.
“We will only realize our great growth ambitions if we create the right environment for all businesses to thrive, to create new jobs and opportunities for everyone in our city region. The Greater Manchester Business Alliance will play a key role in making that happen.”
Collette Roche said: “I am proud and honored to have been asked to chair the Greater Manchester Business Alliance, the newly established convening hub for Greater Manchester’s business voice.
“Our urban area has been built and developed as a result of strong public and private sector partnerships and this alliance will continue to make it possible.
“Our shared ambition is for Greater Manchester to be a great place to do business, with a clear route to high-quality jobs. I look forward to working with the Mayor and our businesses to build business insight into policy and decision-making and to drive the economic growth that befits a globally connected city-region.”
Jo Ahmed said: “I am delighted to be appointed vice-chair of the Greater Manchester Business Alliance at an important time for our city region. Greater Manchester has a significant opportunity to build on its strengths, unlock new opportunities for business and deliver the next phase of sustainable, inclusive growth.
“I look forward to working with our chair, Collette Roche, Mayor Bev Craig and the wider business community to ensure that business voices help shape policy, inform the delivery of the Greater Manchester Strategy sector plans and translate ambition into meaningful action. Together, we can strengthen collaboration between business and the public sector and deliver good growth for Greater Manchester.”