We build better places through connection, knowledge and leadership
Connecting with Place & Expansive Thinking In a fast-paced world where efficiency often takes priority, it’s easy to overlook the more subtle details in our everyday spaces. The recent Connecting with Place session asked Leaders (Future Leaders 3) to step away from their professional mindsets and explore central Manchester as everyday citizens. For both Leaders …
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…
Exploring community engagement through design and collaboration Our Diverse Voices Network came together for an interactive Engagement Essentials workshop led by Sam Hayes, Future of Greater Manchester Alumni and Assistant Director at PLACED. The session offered participants a hands-on, gamified exploration of community engagement in neighbourhood development. Placed, a social enterprise operating across Liverpool and …
As we reach 1,000 alumni from our leadership programmes in, LISA TAYLOR and NICOLA MATHERS reflect on the power of networks to help place leaders collaborate on the biggest urban challenges. “If the aspirations for place are to be secured, we need to equip a new generation of leaders operating in complex policy environments across …
Future Leaders Proposals for GM brought together rising changemakers, senior leaders, and partners from across Greater Manchester to explore one of today’s most urgent priorities: how we build a more resilient region. It was both a moment of reflection and a celebration, marking the graduation of Future Leaders cohort 2 and the continued growth of the …
Storytelling is not a skill exclusive to poets, authors, and musicians – it is a powerful communication tool that the most engaging leaders use to connect with their stakeholders, to lead with humanity, and to be widely understood. Led by facilitator Chris Seymour, this Diverse Voices session encouraged us to identify effective storytelling techniques and …
I’m thrilled to be part of the team, but I’m no stranger to Future of Greater Manchester. Having graduated from Leaders Plus in 2022 and become a mentor and nominator in 2023/24, I was already an ambassador. With over 20 years of leadership experience and a passion for driving meaningful change, I look forward to …
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…
Interviewing Essentials was a candid and lively session, with guidance from sector leaders on how to ace your next interview. Led by Future of GM’s Lisa Taylor, we focused on practical tips and engaging discussions to help participants navigate interviews successfully. Participants also shared real-life examples of when things have gone well (or not so …