Tough times fuel Manchester’s entrepreneurial spirit
A look back on Simon Oldfield’s year as chairman

When I took on the role of chairman of pro·manchester I gave the membership ten facts you may or may not know about me.  Despite winning few friends by revealing my role in the demise of Factory Records and the Hacienda nightclub, I have adopted the ‘fast facts’ style to review my year as chair.

This has, without doubt, been a tough year.  However, rather than reiterating the complexities of the challenges we have faced and the situation in which we find ourselves, I have taken six highlights from my year to show there is cause for us to be positive and to relish the opportunities which lie ahead in the financial and professional sector.

Number one
I am convinced the entrepreneurial spirit in our sector in Manchester is stronger than ever.  Several of pro•manchester’s new members in the past 12 months are start-up businesses. We have also witnessed our more established members responding quickly to market conditions by developing new products, retraining and reallocating staff and finding innovative ways to support their clients in such a turbulent economic period.`
One of my key themes was entrepreneurship, which is celebrated by the Entrepreneur of the Year programme run by my own firm, Ernst & Young. It is great to see pro•manchester member Building Design Partnership in the finals of the competition – reinforcing the point entrepreneurship is something to be recognised within our own sector as well as in the wider corporate world, where it usually receives greatest prominence.

Number Two
The entrepreneurial spirit and “can do” attitude is equally alive and well in many of our partners in Manchester.  Manchester City Council has a remarkable track record for innovation and it was no surprise to see how quickly, by working with the Chamber of Commerce and ten of our members, they successfully launched the Timebank scheme.  This is designed to deliver immediate professional advice and support to local companies who are struggling with the impact of the economic downturn.  The ten pro∙manchester members participating in the scheme are doing so free of charge.

Number Three
Corporate social responsibility- one of my themes for the year - is also prevalent in Manchester, despite the pressures we have on our time and finances.  Together with my E&Y colleagues, I was sponsored to spend a night sleeping rough on the streets of the city in aid of Action for Children.  We were staggered to raise more than £40,000 in one night. This was just one small example of hundreds of actions which continue to be taken by pro·manchester members to support the communities in which they work.

Number Four
Our future pro·manchester division, chaired by Alex Solk, has continued to be successful in raising the profile and creating a sense of community among the next generation of business leaders in the city.

future pro Manchester has thoroughly embraced the themes of the year and will be launching its own Entrepreneurship Challenge in June at the summer barbecue, inviting young professionals and students to pit their wits against each other in a series of challenges to test their entrepreneurial flair. The campaign will be supported by a programme of entrepreneurial speakers and lunches to celebrate the importance of this theme in business, particularly in such challenging times.
The future pro·manchester team is also working with Plant Hill school in Manchester, identified as a future Business and Finance Academy on a CSR campaign to mentor students and highlight career routes into the professional world

Number Five
International relations are still high on the agenda at pro·manchester and in my role as chairman I have not only visited The Gulf with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, but also welcomed delegations to Manchester from Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, the US, China and India.  These visitors were all here because they understand the importance of the North West of England to the global economy and recognise the ability of advisors and financiers based here to provide internationally competitive services.
pro·manchester is currently working with the NWDA and other partners to identify how we can accelerate the development of various other niche services – carbon trading, ethical finance and Islamic finance for example which will reinforce Manchester’s global reputation for excellence in financial and professional services.

Number Six
It’s also vital to take a step back and celebrate the collective strength of the membership – the organisation is reliant on your commitment to reinforce the city region’s powerful credentials as the largest F&P centre outside of the capital. Without you we could not be able to achieve such recognition on a national and international scale. We are also supported by an excellent team at the pro•manchester office, who have worked tirelessly during such a difficult year to further our mission of bringing business opportunities to Manchester professionals.
It has been a remarkable year – not without its challenges. However, by remaining firmly focused, seizing opportunities and triumphing in the face of adversity, Manchester’s undeniable pioneering spirit will continue to shine through.

Simon Oldfield

Chairman