We build better places through connection, knowledge and leadership
“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…
Diverse Voices brought together place professionals from across Greater Manchester for an interactive presentation coaching session focused on confidence, communication and storytelling. Arup kindly hosted participants for the workshop, followed by an enlightening mix of Speaker showcase presentations; topics include The aquarium theory of Place, wildfire risk awareness, clothing poverty and switching off from work …
This discussion explored what inclusive leadership looks like in practice, drawing on lived experience from diverse voices. Panel members shared honest reflections on navigating under-representation and workplace challenges, revealing a shared commitment to authenticity, resilience and collective progress that benefits individuals, organisations and the wider city-region.
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 …
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!
This topic-led and tasty first mentor dinner, kindly sponsored by Hatch, was a celebration of Future of GM’s insightful mentors, and a chance for these generous volunteers to connect with each other in a convivial and confidential space. Our full house of senior-level guests had a great time and are already asking about the next …
From ideas to action! Four fantastic Proposals for GM were unveiled on July 19 as our GM Future Leaders cross-sector cohort shared end-of-course pitches for how the city-region could do more for people and places. Their theme was ‘influencing outside the box’ – already working, to judge by the dozens of questions, suggestions and connections …
The fourth round of Greater Manchester Leaders Plus kicked off in March with a buzzy launch and mentor-mentee meet-up, a central Manchester walkabout and workshop on Connecting with Place and a lovely lunch to start connecting with each other – and that was just the first 24 hours! Two weeks later, the group explored leadership …