Why Connections Matter in the ‘Salsa Dance’ of Corporate Finance

We recently hosted the annual Corporate Finance Lunch, working closely with our Corporate Finance Committee to set the agenda. The event brought together regional professionals to discuss the evolving M&A landscape and the expanding role of AI beyond the tech sector, transforming due diligence and business models. What James Dow called the ‘salsa economy’ highlights the rapid pace of change and the need for businesses to adapt to stay competitive.

In this fast-evolving environment, having the right people around the table and in the right rooms is crucial for sharing insights and staying close to what’s happening in the Manchester deals market.

That’s why our Corporate Finance Committee exists. As part of pro-manchester, a dynamic growth network, we bring the right people together, keep the conversation grounded in what’s really happening and make sure the Manchester finance community stays connected, through the busy cycles and the quieter ones.

We caught up with co-chairs of the Corporate Finance Committee, Neave Patel, Director at Kroll, and Aaron Conneran, Director at Axon Moore, to understand why connection matters more than ever and how the committee is strengthening it.

What sets the Corporate Finance committee apart?

The value of the committee starts with the mix in the room. Corporate finance can be a small world, and it’s easy for the same voices and viewpoints to dominate. The pro-manchester corporate finance committee is designed to be broader than that. We bring together different roles and perspectives across Greater Manchester’s deals market.

That breadth is intentional. It’s not all about getting the biggest brands in the room, it’s about having the right stakeholders around the table, with a “sprinkle of everything”, so the committee is a more realistic and nuanced reflection of what’s really happening in Greater Manchester.

It also sets a clear expectation that we’re a working group, not a platform. We show up, contribute and debate what’s happening in the market, not to use the room to promote any one firm.

That mix and mindset creates a space where professionals can talk honestly about what they’re seeing, gain different perspectives and keep a finger on the pulse of Manchester-specific trends and dynamics.

Just as importantly, it helps the committee reflect the market as it is, not a narrower version of it. Diversity is part of what makes our conversations better, and the community stronger

What challenges and opportunities are on the table?

Our agenda is shaped by what members are living through in real time. And for the last few years, deal flow has been at the top of the list.

The market has felt stop-start. Confidence has fluctuated. Timelines have stretched. And that changes what people need from their network. We all want insight, perspective and a sense-check on what “normal” looks like in the current cycle.

We’re also focusing on the emerging trends brought up at our CF Lunch, such as AI transforming due diligence and the shifting M&A landscape. And these are creating both opportunities and challenges for every business operating in the sector. The committee is also monitoring structural changes, such as rising private equity activity in accounting and professional services, and what that means for Greater Manchester firms considering consolidation or independence.

These are the conversations finance professionals need to be having if they want to stay sharp and to position themselves for what comes next in the corporate finance sector.

How the committee helps people connect?

Our committee is a fantastic way to build networks. We bring people together around shared priorities and a commitment to strengthening the wider CF community. Over time, that creates trust, and trust is what turns what often starts as a contact into a deeper relationship.

We don’t want to just make introductions. As a group, we come together to share diverse perspectives, amplifying voices from all backgrounds and experiences. We explore the opportunities and challenges within the region, grounding our discussions in live conversations and the current economic climate. With optimism around sustained growth and record activity, collaboration within the committee allows members to harness these opportunities and achieve their ambitions.

Committee involvement can also open broader opportunities across the pro-manchester community, from contributing to events to getting visibility through the wider programme (including awards and speaking moments), helping members build profile and credibility beyond their immediate deal circle.

Why this matters for the growth of Greater Manchester?

The Corporate Finance Committee creates a simple but powerful connected community that makes the market work better. It is a vehicle for fostering relationships, surfaces insight faster and gives professionals a credible place to stay close to the people and trends shaping the region.

If you’re operating in corporate finance in Greater Manchester, or you’re part of the wider finance ecosystem, the committee is a practical way to build relationships that last, stay connected to what’s happening, and help shape what the next chapter of the Manchester market looks like.

To find out more about the financial and professional services committee, click here.