How significant is the Financial and professional sector to the UK?
Today the UK-based financial sector accounts for 10% of our GDP and employs around a million people. With a contribution of over some £20 billion to the balance of payments and amounting to 26% of the Treasury’s corporate tax take, this industry is hugely important to our economy.

How important is networking?
Networking is crucial to professional firms, whatever the size. Generating and using personal contacts in the top echelon of the corporate community is invaluable when it comes to new business – you can’t make potential clients do all the legwork. However, a worrying number of firms still restrict networking to their senior management and partners, when the younger members can potentially be one of their most valuable assets. It is vitally important to provide them with the opportunity to develop their own network before they are forced to go out on a limb later in their career with no idea of networking etiquette and few, if any, established contacts. That is why pro·manchester facilitates networking at all of its events. With so many networking events on offer people are justifiably becoming very choosy about how they spend their time. Networking events have to show their value with good speakers, interactive presentations and relevant topics.

What types of events does pro·manchester organise?
pro·manchester hosts a wide range of events for its financial and professional community. Members can refer to a calendar of discussion groups and networking lunches. pro·manchester also provides opportunities specifically for its younger members with such events as mix and mingle drinks and speed networking events as well as more traditional speaker events. The young members committee – future pro·manchester - ensures that the young members have fun while expanding their network.

Are Manchester professionals involved in PPP/PFI?
Very much so. The UK PFI and PPP sector is booming, and Manchester’s professional services community is at the heart of the action. As the line between public and private sector services becomes increasingly blurred, a vast number of new partnership opportunities are opening up for Manchester businesses. Manchester is already a hotspot for Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
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Do pro·manchester members provide advice to companies considering flotation?
Look no further! Manchester has played a key role in the development and prosperity of the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The recent and relatively rapid emergence of AIM as a cost effective and well-regarded means for companies to raise capital is striking. Manchester has established itself as a pre-eminent centre for providing advice to companies considering flotation, both in the region and internationally.

Why does ppro·manchester undertake so many skills initiatives?
pro·manchester has signed a partnership agreement with the Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance (GMSA) to advise on the skills required by the city’s financial and professional services sector from school and higher education leavers. The aim of the partnership is to ensure the accelerated growth of the city’s financial and professional services sector by ensuring the future workforce has the necessary skills.

How does pro·manchester recognise rising talent within the sector?
North West financial and professional firms are able to nominate their rising stars for the Young Professional Awards, organised by pro·manchester in conjunction with NW Insider. More information>>

How important are Carbon Markets and Emissions Trading?
A key objective in carbon markets is to establish the UK as a model for carbon trading schemes around the world with the view to make contracts viable thereby increasing the size of the overall market and reducing capital requirements; to bring more international players to the market; and to promote the strengths of Manchester’s related areas of business services. Currently the UK, and London in particular, is the world centre for carbon finance. The UK is the leading investor in Clean Delivery Mechanisms (CDMs) and is the dominant exchange contract in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), being traded on ICE Futures in London.

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