Greater Manchester's innovation ambitions put people, skills and business growth at the heart of future success
- Friday, October 23, 2026
- Posted By The Growth Company
Leaders from business, academia and the public sector came together at this year's GM Innovation Expo as Greater Manchester unveiled a new Innovation Plan to become a globally recognised innovation hub by 2035.
Hosted by GM Business Growth Hub, part of the Growth Company, the Expo explored the role innovation can play in creating good jobs, improving productivity and driving inclusive growth across Greater Manchester.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig launched the GM Innovation Plan which sets out how the city-region can accelerate growth by supporting innovative businesses, attracting investment, strengthening commercialisation and developing the workforce needed to support future industries. It also recognises that innovation is not solely about technological advances or scientific breakthroughs, but about creating good jobs, improving productivity and ensuring more people can benefit from economic success.
This ambition builds on growing momentum nationally. At the recent Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester, the Prime Minister set a goal for Britain to become "the world's leading innovation nation", with globally significant clusters and companies in every region and nation.
The Growth Company, through the GM Business Growth Hub and our wider delivery sits at the heart of Greater Manchester's innovation ecosystem. By connecting businesses with specialist expertise, investment, new technologies and skills support, we help organisations at every stage turn ideas into commercial success which in turn improves productivity, creates good jobs and translates Greater Manchester’s innovation ambitions into inclusive economic growth.
Creating future talent pipelines is essential to economic growth. At GC, we help young people develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to access opportunities, whether that's through apprenticeships, T Levels, work placements, apprenticeships or our employer partnerships.
That's why we're proud to support NatWest's Youth Offer which was also launched this week and aims to connect more than 10,000 young people with work experience, employability and entrepreneurship opportunities over the next two years, beginning with a pilot in Greater Manchester.
The programme will provide workplace experiences, early careers opportunities and entrepreneurship support, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and connections needed to take their next step into employment or enterprise.
We've worked with NatWest to align the Youth Offer with Greater Manchester's wider skills and work placement activity. Building on work already taking place across the city-region, the initiative will create more opportunities for young people to gain meaningful workplace experience while helping employers develop future talent.
Michelle Leeson, Managing Director for Employment, Justice and Health at The Growth Company, said:
"High levels of economic inactivity and unemployment among young people represent generational challenges in more ways than one.
"In the end, every section of society will have to play its part if we're going to succeed in tackling them. That's why it's so encouraging to see a respected organisation like NatWest making such a bold commitment to Greater Manchester's future workforce, including their own.
"The bank's Youth Offer gives the region's young people a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience or access quality training. We're delighted to be supporting it."
Janine Smith, Executive Director of GM Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, added:
"We're working with businesses across Greater Manchester to support more young people to gain access to meaningful work experiences.
"So, it's great to have supported an organisation like NatWest in making such a bold commitment to Greater Manchester's future workforce.
"NatWest's Youth Offer is a fantastic initiative that leads the way in being a role model in the region, and I hope more businesses follow suit."