It’s official; summer has arrived in Greater Manchester and (at the time of writing) the sun appears to be shining a spotlight on the many exciting new happenings and opportunities throughout the city-region and across the North this past month.
ICYMI Greater Manchester and Invest Manchester were recently featured in The New York Times in an article highlighting city region’s economic transformation and growing international reputation.
MD Joe Manning also sat down with Marketing Manchester MD Victoria Braddock to reflect on a busy 2026 so far and plans moving forward. You can watch the full conversation here.
At Farnborough International Airshow we exhibited as part of the North West Aerospace Alliance pavilion and hosted a VIP drinks reception during which we presented Greater Manchester’s advanced manufacturing and materials capabilities for aerospace.
Invest Manchester and the Manchester India Partnership also embarked on a five day tour around India, meeting with partners and businesses to further explore increasing opportunities for trade and investment in Greater Manchester under the UK India Free Trade Agreement. Partner visits included the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade plus Confederation of Indian Industry and recently welcomed newcomers to Manchester, fragrance and flavour company, Keva
Finally, a special mention for members of the Invest Manchester team who put in a sterling effort at the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity annual Bus Pull, raising over £500 in the process. Our team was up for the first pull of the day, reaching the finishing line in an amazing 28 seconds.
Invest Manchester Showcases Aerospace Strengths at Farnborough
Greater Manchester’s capabilities in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing were showcased as part of the North West Aerospace Alliance’s pavilion at Farnborough International Airshow. As part of the event, the Invest Manchester team hosted an exclusive networking reception featuring insights into Atom Valley’s potential to support supply chain growth and advanced materials innovation, alongside discussions on the latest investment opportunities across the city region.
Watch: Make In Manchester – An Advanced Manufacturing Showreel
Keva Opens Greater Manchester R&D Centre
Indian fragrance and flavour company Keva has opened a new Creative Development Centre at Manchester Science Park, creating 30 highly skilled jobs. The investment strengthens Greater Manchester’s innovation economy and research-led growth sectors, while highlighting growing economic ties between the city region and India.
Watch our video from the launch event
Vitality strengthens presence with new Stockport Exchange office
Health and life insurance provider Vitality has opened a new office at Stockport Exchange, further reinforcing the town centre’s position as one of Greater Manchester’s fastest-growing business locations. Located adjacent to Stockport rail station, the award-winning business district continues to attract major occupiers seeking high-quality office space and excellent connectivity to Manchester and London.
AAB Expands into Manchester with New City Centre Office
Professional services firm AAB has opened a new office at No.1 St Michael’s, strengthening its presence in Greater Manchester and supporting plans to build a 200-strong team across the region. The expansion builds on the firm’s existing North West operations and will provide a full range of advisory services to scaling businesses.
Discover more about AAB’s plans
£64m Vivere Cornbrook Development Breaks Ground at Manchester Waters
Construction has officially begun on VIVERE Residences at Cornbrook, a £64.2 million mixed-use development that will become the tallest tower delivered to date within the Manchester Waters masterplan. The scheme will deliver 237 apartments, an 88-key aparthotel, commercial space and a range of resident amenities, further strengthening Cornbrook’s emergence as a key gateway neighbourhood between Manchester city centre and Trafford.
Learn more about the development
Manchester United Reveals Location of New 100,000-Seat Stadium
Manchester United has confirmed the proposed location of its new 100,000-seat stadium, which will sit at the heart of Trafford Wharfside’s ambitious regeneration plans. Positioned alongside the existing Old Trafford ground, the stadium will anchor a new sports and entertainment district within a wider masterplan expected to deliver 15,000 homes, create 48,000 jobs and generate a £7.3 billion annual boost to the UK economy.
Leadership Board Appointed to Drive CyanLines Vision
CyanLines has announced the appointment of its new Partnership Board, bringing together senior leaders from the public, private and cultural sectors to help deliver a 100-mile-plus network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes across Greater Manchester. The initiative aims to connect parks, rivers, canals, squares and green spaces while supporting healthier communities, biodiversity and climate resilience.
GMCA Tech Fund
The Greater Manchester Technology Fund enables organisations to donate surplus laptops, tablets and smartphones through a secure, fully managed process. Donated devices are refurbished and redistributed locally, helping people access education, employment opportunities and essential services, while also reducing ewaste and supporting ESG commitments. If your team manages IT assets, now is a great time to get involved!
Upcoming events
Gamescom @Cologne, Germany | 26-30 August
Creative Industries Forward Look @HOME Manchester, UK | 8 September
Manchester Fashion Week @Manchester, UK | 9-12 September
Atom Valley and Regional Growth @Rochdale, UK | 10 September
International Manufacturing Technology Show @Chicago, USA | 14-19 September
Composites and Advanced Materials Expo @Atlanta, USA | 21-24 September
Corporate Hospitality Show Manchester 2026 @Manchester, UK | 30 September
Bolton International Film Festival @Bolton, UK | 30 September – 4 October
SIBOS 2026 @Miami, USA | 28 September – 1 October
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