We build better places through connection, knowledge and leadership
Lisa Taylor 
“While conversations about growth often focus on investment, infrastructure and business, what is increasingly clear is that the future of Greater Manchester depends just as much on the leadership found within its not-for-profit sector.” Guest post by Identity Consult Director Alex Atkinson
As a civil engineer, Grace Pagani of Arup knew the “Rain Guarden” project could be built. However, her Leaders Plus colleagues in housing, local government and communications brought different perspectives that turned the idea into fundable reality, winning one of six inaugural Future of GM Alumni Awards. Find out more…
On July 1, we brought together 90 of Future of GM’s growing network to celebrate six years of leadership, collaboration and impact across Greater Manchester – and to give out our first Alumni Awards! You’ll know some of our 200+ alumni – click through to find out who they are!
Mentor Dinner #4: How do we help people and places feel safe(r) in such volatile times? That was the question we put to our guest speaker at May’s Future of GM mentor dinner, when 45 senior leaders gathered in Ancoats for another evening of connection and inspiration (plus lovely food). It’s our way of thanking …
Exciting new year, sharp new format – and game-changing new ideas from LeadersPlus Cohort 6, as five graduating candidates presented their ‘most feasible’ Proposals for Greater Manchester to an audience that can help make them happen.
Check out this prose-meets-property guest post on Stockport from Place Collective’s Andrew Catcheside. Great to see so many FoGM alumni leading the changes here!
Right now, an estimated US$2 trillion is invested globally not in what AI is, but in what investors hope it will be. When the gap between expectation and reality grows too wide, the risk becomes economic. Find out more about this big-picture confluence from speaker Dr Richard Whittle…
This is a guest post from PRD, the consultancy that kick-started our Intercity Exchange series in 2024. They’ve done groundbreaking work in Stratford, shared here by Director Barney Cringle and Senior Associate Director Amanda Robinson – a Future of London alumna and former Head of Projects. We had a fantastic field trip in May 2025 …
“We know how to build infrastructure to withstand floods and tornadoes. We know when severe weather might come. We have structures, paints and electrical equipment which can survive floods and other hazards. Yet, despite this knowledge, we do not always implement what we know.” Read more about our options for crisis response…
In this guest post, executive coach and facilitator Laurence Knott shares the principles of his popular Leadership Skills session on defeating not just imposter syndrome, but the barriers we actively – if subconsciously – put in our own way. This is just a taster of the varied course content across Future Leaders and Leaders Plus. Read on…and feed the right wolf!