Leadership that Lasts (part of the transformational leadership series)

John is a passionate entrepreneur and expert communicator with 25 years’ experience supporting major UK organisations. Ten years ago, he founded Social with no clients or income, growing it into a national, purpose-led B Corp agency. A Fellow of the RSA and graduate of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses programme, John champions inclusive growth and place-based impact. He’s known for his empathy-led leadership, deep commitment to communities, and expertise in built environment communications and stakeholder engagement.

Caroline has almost 20 years’ experience working with corporate organizations, both in the UK and internationally. As part of a dedicated team of wellness experts, she specializes in running corporate retreats that help professionals relax, refocus, and recharge.

With a strong background in mental and physical resilience, Caroline brings a unique mix of personal experience, neuroscience, and positive psychology to her workshops and retreats, helping people make meaningful and lasting changes.

She’s qualified in a range of psychometric assessments which she uses on retreats to help people improve their self-awareness and set powerful goals.

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.

An exiled Scotsman, Ian has spent his career working on environmental and public health issues – and the socioeconomic policies that underpin them – from community to international levels.

Starting his career as an environmental health officer with Carlisle City Council, he has worked in delivery, policy and leadership roles for Edinburgh City Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, The World Health Organisation (Euro), the UK Public Health Association, Groundwork UK and The Growth Company.

Since March 2019, he has led the development and implementation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, – an initiative established by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in his first term and now a major policy foundation to help address employment related inequalities and build economic and social resilience in his second.