pro-manchester’s Anniversary Celebration!

Sam Booth is Co-Chief Exec of pro-manchester, the growth network that brings together ambitious businesses across Greater Manchester to connect, develop and shape the future of the city region.

Sam leads the organisation’s outward-facing agenda, building strong relationships across the region and working closely with partners, members and stakeholders to understand where the biggest opportunities are for business. She brings an external perspective to pro-manchester’s work, helping to identify what matters now, where momentum is building, and how the organisation can create the right conditions for collaboration, growth and influence.

Alongside Co-Chief Exec Nicola McCormick, Sam is part of a leadership model that breaks from tradition. Together, they lead pro-manchester through a shared, collaborative approach that reflects the organisation’s belief in community, support and creating opportunity together. As two women leading side by side, they are proud to be showing that in Manchester, leadership can look different – and stronger – when it is built on partnership.

Sam has been at pro-manchester for 17 years and has been an integral part of its growth. A firm part of the Manchester business community, Sam is a familiar face to most, constantly and efficiently working to bring businesses together in the city region.

Sam also sits on the board of trustees for Forever Manchester, a charity that supports community activity across Greater Manchester. As well as this, Sam also sits on the Greater Manchester Economic Resilience Board, the Greater Manchester Organisational Representatives Group, the Manchester Business Sounding Board, the Bee Net Zero Advisory Board and the Manchester tech hub Board.  In 2019 Sam also became the Regional Deputy Chair of TheCityUK, where she helps to engage the national body on a regional level on behalf of individuals in the financial and professional services industries.

Alison is based in the City Centre where she is a consultant with the commercial legal practise Lockett Loveday McMahon Solicitors and she also has her own business advisory company.

Alison is a champion of equality in the workplace, recognising the importance of diversity, inclusion and the promotion of health and well-being at work ( both mental and physical). This is not in response to ‘ the latest trend’ but is something she has done throughout her thirty plus year career. In addition, she is keen to support the future generation – promoting links between the workplace and schools /colleges/ and our Universities and working with various mentoring programs.

Alison is a keen supporter of North West Business Community, being a Director and is part of the pro-manchester, Wellbeing Champions Committee. She is also an Ambassador for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity (which raises money for and promotes awareness of the experience of homelessness). Her chosen charity in her role as Chair of pro-manchester is the Pankhurst Trust, incorporating  Manchester Women’s Aid which is celebrating its 50^th year providing domestic abuse services across Greater Manchester. Its particular focus this year is in  on raising funds for children who are the victims of domestic abuse and who make up the greatest number of those living temporarily in MWA refuges.

Alison is a member of the Northern Power Woman Power List, and the Women of the Year Awards. She regularly provides comment to the media- National press, radio and television.

As Co-Chief Executive of pro-manchester, Nicola leads on commercial performance and the ongoing development of the organisation as Greater Manchester’s growth network.

With a strong commercial focus, Nicola is responsible for driving efficiency, improving how the organisation works and identifying opportunities that support sustainable business growth. She plays a key role in turning strategy into action, helping pro-manchester respond to the pace and ambition of its members with clarity and purpose.

Together with co-CEO Sam Booth, Nicola represents a modern, collaborative approach to leadership. Their partnership challenges the traditional idea of leadership at the top being held by one person alone, replacing it with a model built on shared responsibility, mutual support and complementary strengths. It is an approach that reflects both pro-manchester’s values and the spirit of Greater Manchester: ambitious, connected and stronger together.

Nicola has a strong background in event and project management, having led departments both within agencies and in-house at Travel Counsellors. She has been part of pro-manchester for over 15 years and has played an important role in its continued growth. Well established within the Manchester business community, Nicola is passionate about bringing businesses together across the city region.

Herbie Hursthouse is the Chair of Future Pro and Sales Innovation Manager at Together. In his role, Herbie is deeply committed to fostering growth and innovation within the industry. Through Future Pro, he champions a platform designed to empower like-minded professionals – helping them build confidence, develop skills, and expand both personal and professional networks. Herbie is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring that the next generation of leaders have the tools and connections to thrive.

Always open to meaningful conversations, Herbie Welcomes connections on LinkedIn and encourages anyone attending industry events to reach out and say hello.