Why being part of pro-manchester matters
Friday, 18th September 2026By Erin Cadden
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to work with businesses at key moments in their growth journeys while also being part of a wider professional community that’s helping to shape the future of the North West economy.
Alongside my work at Saffery, I’m proud to serve on pro-manchester’s Corporate Finance Committee. While my day-to-day role is focused on transaction services, being involved with the committee allows me to engage with the broader corporate finance community and contribute to conversations that matter to businesses, advisers, investors and funders across the region.
The North West continues to be a vibrant and ambitious market. Businesses are pursuing growth, adapting to changing economic conditions, exploring acquisitions, and planning for succession or investment. Against this backdrop, bringing together different perspectives and creating opportunities for meaningful discussion has never been more important.
As a committee member, I work alongside a fantastic group of professionals from across the dealmaking ecosystem to help shape and deliver events that provide practical insight and encourage valuable connections. These events are not simply networking opportunities. They create a forum where people can share experiences, discuss the challenges they’re seeing in the market and learn from one another.
A recent highlight was the Corporate Finance Mid-Year Review, where I had the pleasure of hosting a fireside chat with Vic Stewart, CFO of The Alchemist. The discussion provided an honest and engaging perspective on leadership, business growth and navigating change in today’s market. Hearing directly from business leaders about their experiences is one of the aspects I enjoy most about these events. It helps bring market trends to life and creates conversations that continue long after the event itself has finished.
From a transaction services perspective, being involved in these discussions is particularly valuable. Understanding the priorities, challenges and opportunities facing businesses and investors helps ensure we remain connected to the realities of the market. The insights gained through pro-manchester’s events and committees complement the work we do for clients every day and help us better understand the factors shaping transactions across the region.
What I particularly value about pro-manchester is its commitment to fostering collaboration and developing future talent. At Saffery, we’re keen to encourage younger colleagues to build their professional networks, develop their business development skills and gain confidence engaging with the wider business community. Initiatives such as pro-manchester’s Future Pro events provide an excellent platform for the next generation of professionals to develop those skills and build meaningful relationships early in their careers.
This focus on nurturing talent reflects what makes Manchester’s professional community so strong. There is a genuine willingness among businesses and advisers to share knowledge, support one another and invest in the future of the region. Whether through specialist committees, industry events or initiatives aimed at emerging professionals, the emphasis is always on creating opportunities for people to learn, connect and succeed.
From Saffery’s perspective, involvement with pro-manchester aligns closely with our commitment to supporting ambitious businesses across the North West. It allows us to contribute to important conversations, stay connected to developments in the market and help strengthen the business community that our clients are part of. Recently, my colleague Alastair Loasby (Director of Sustainability and ESG at Saffery) has joined the Green Economy Committee which is a great initiative on such an important and evolving area.
Ultimately, that is why being involved matters. It’s about more than attending events or sitting on a committee. It’s about contributing to a collaborative network that brings people together, shares expertise and helps businesses and individuals thrive.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved and look forward to continuing to support initiatives that strengthen connections across the North West business community. If you’ve not yet attended a pro-manchester event, I would encourage you to do so. The insights, conversations and relationships you build can be invaluable.