Member Spotlight: Bilal Ehsan, Business Immigration Partner, Howes Percival

Introduce yourself

I’m Bilal Ehsan, a Partner in Howes Percival’s Business Immigration team in Manchester. I advise employers across the North West that sponsor overseas workers, helping them navigate the sponsor licence system and meet their Home Office compliance obligations. My role is to take the complexity out of the process so clients can focus on recruiting and retaining the people they need.

Career highlight

The highlight for me has been the range of organisations and people I have been able to support. I spent a significant part of my career in the immigration practices of two of the Big Four, advising some of the world’s best-known companies on moving talent across borders. What I value most now is bringing that same standard of service to businesses of every size across the North West, from global employers with large, sponsored workforces to founders making their first hire from overseas.

Whatever the size of the client, immigration ultimately comes back to people. For a business, it is about attracting the talent it needs to grow and flourish. For an individual, it can mean a new country, a new job and a new chapter in life. That can understandably feel daunting, particularly when immigration is only one part of a much bigger move.

We work hard to take the pressure out of the process so people can focus on everything else involved. Being part of that journey never stops feeling special.

Name three words that describe your personality

Approachable, pragmatic and forward-thinking.

What’s the best thing about pro-manchester?

The people. pro-manchester is a collaborative, well-connected network that brings together professionals from across sectors. It is one of the quickest ways to feel genuinely part of Manchester’s business community rather than simply attending the occasional event.

Being able to bring clients along and introduce them to the right people is a real bonus.

What are your priorities for 2026?

• Building long-term relationships with businesses that sponsor skilled international talent or are considering doing so
• Raising my profile across Manchester’s business community
• Growing Howes Percival’s Business Immigration practice across the North West
• Staying ahead of a fast-moving area of law so clients always understand where they stand

What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

Manchester is home. I was born here, have lived here all my life and love the city. What stands out at the moment is the pace and breadth of its growth.

Manchester has a thriving start-up and scale-up ecosystem, with real strengths in technology, AI, fintech, life sciences and digital. Its innovation districts are expanding, its universities are producing spinouts and a steady stream of talent, and international businesses continue to choose the city as a base.

What excites me most is how much of that growth depends on people, whether skilled workers from overseas or the founders, graduates and entrepreneurs from around the world choosing to build their careers here.

That feels true to Manchester’s character. The city has always been shaped by people who came here to make something of it, and that spirit is still very much alive.

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

Atrium Coffee for a flat white, or Bruncho on Deansgate for breakfast. Both are relaxed and good places to catch up.

Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet?

Employers that sponsor overseas workers or are considering doing so; HR and people leaders; fast-growing businesses recruiting international talent; and professional advisers, including accountants, corporate finance advisers and HR consultants, whose clients may need immigration support.

Get in touch

I’m offering pro-manchester members a complimentary initial sponsor licence compliance review, so please get in touch if this could be useful to your organisation.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07977 554933

LinkedIn: Bilal Ehsan | LinkedIn