Welcoming Nick Rose as the new Chair of pro-manchester

Q: Nick, congratulations on becoming the new Chair of pro-manchester. What does taking on the role mean to you?  

It feels like a particularly fitting time for me to be stepping into the role and, firstly, I want to congratulate Alison Loveday for everything she has achieved as Chair. Having celebrated turning 40 alongside pro-manchester this year, this feels like a full circle moment.  

The last few years have been material for pro-manchester and the wider city region. And especially in the last two months with Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister and the launch of No 10 North, I have felt an energy around the city that feels special. Businesses in Manchester – in the same way as other regions – are navigating AI, economic challenges and new opportunities that are shaping the future of business.  

To me, pro-manchester is about connecting ambitious businesses, creating opportunities, championing EDI and helping our members thrive so they can shape the future of the city region.   

Q: For those who don’t already know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  

I’m very proud to be Stockport born and bred, and I’ve seen first-hand how much Manchester has developed over the last four decades. My 11-year-old son and best friend Oliver is my proudest achievement.  

I have worked for Sharp for 20 years and I currently manage its Commercial Sales Division for the UK, as well as its new business operations. Sales and business development are where my passion and experience lie, so I’m excited to bring that to my new role as Chair to help our growth network continue expanding.  

Q: How did your relationship with pro-manchester begin? 

My route into pro-manchester started when Sharp joined the growth network. As a print solutions company, we were a bit different from the professional services organisations that made up the bulk of pro-manchester membership at the time!  

After joining, we quickly saw the value of being part of the community. A personal highlight of mine was being awarded the Manchester Champion award at the 2013 Made in Manchester Awards (MiMAs) for planning a widescale charity event that involved breaking a Guiness World Record.  

Shortly after this, I was given the opportunity to join the future-pro committee and I very quickly understood how the group give young people a platform, help them build confidence and open up new opportunities.  

Alongside a team from the future-pro committee, I helped plan an event called ‘Can You Sing Manchester’, which raised over £50,000 by getting Manchester’s senior business leaders to sing live at Revolucion De Cuba (where I also sang Pray by Take That)!  

Q: What have you learned in your two years as Vice Chair of pro-manchester? 

Having spent two years already working with the senior team and board of pro-manchester, I have seen the commitment that Nicola, Sam and the wider team bring to their roles every day. As leaders, they have done an exceptional job of evolving the organisation whilst staying firmly focused on why we exist – to create opportunity for ambitious businesses across Greater Manchester.  

I have also built strong relationships with our member organisations to understand what would be most valuable to help, and how we can support them through their journey at whatever stage they’re at.  

Q: What are your priorities as Chair? 

The most important message that I want to convey as Chair is for our members to thrown themselves in.  

Embrace what the membership offers you, get involved and encourage the next generation of leaders to do the same. pro-manchester has brilliant foundations for further growth and the momentum to achieve that. We’ve recently surpassed the milestone of over 400 members, and I’d love for us to reach 500 next year.  

Being proud of my Stockport roots, I’m particularly passionate about broadening our reach across Greater Manchester by strengthening connections between the city and all ten boroughs. There are fantastic, ambitious businesses in Stockport, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, Trafford, Salford, Wigan and Manchester – and I want as many of them as possible to benefit from the pro-manchester network.  

Q: Finally, what are you most looking forward to? 

Growth, collaboration, developing people and building stronger partnerships is what I’m most excited to continue striving for. I’m also proud to be supporting the charity EGG (Engage, Grow, Go), a Greater Manchester organisation helping young people move beyond homelessness through long-term support, housing, employment and independence.  

There’s so much opportunity ahead and I’m very excited to see what we can all achieve together.