Inside the Greater Manchester Strategy Conference 2025

Last night, we headed to Campfield Manchester (our new HQ!) for the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025 conference with Mayor Andy Burnham. 

The evening saw major announcements for Manchester across the next decade – from health, to housing, education, and more. Read on for the details, including a major announcement for transport…

Closing the North-South divide

The headline of the event was all about giving Manchester’s economy, growth and productivity a major boost. An average 3.1% growth in the region over the last 10 years has taken Manchester closer towards sealing the North-South divide, with Burnham claiming “the next decade will be the best in the city region since the Victorian era.”

Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s “Integrated Pipeline” has set out to rapidly deliver new manufacturing sites, commercial spaces, innovation districts, and entrepreneurial hubs to cement Manchester as a core place to do great business. GMCA say by mid-century they want Manchester to be a city region to “rival any other on the planet”.

To further this, Burnham claimed he wanted all of the ten Greater Manchester boroughs to have equal investment and attention. Named Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs) and Zones (MDZs), huge redevelopment schemes were announced in boroughs including Oldham, Ashton, Middleton, Leigh and Bolton. 

We also heard from comedian Steve Coogan, who was announced co-chair designate of the proposed Middleton MDC – having grown up in the town. Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK will serve alongside.

As Burnham said: “Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.” 

Transport: The Manchester Underground Network

The biggest announcement of the night came as Burnham announced that Manchester is going underground, with plans in development for a subway-style transport network – including a new underground Piccadilly Station to rival London’s King Cross.

As well as this, new Bee Network tram and train routes are in progress, and will connect Bury, Heywood, Rochdale, Stockport, Bolton and Oldham.

There were also announcements for half-price bus passes for young people, a lift on restrictions for free travel for the elderly, and night buses will be expanded to Bury and Rochdale.

Education: The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate

For education, Greater Manchester Combined Authority claimed they wanted to give the region’s young people more options when it came to their journey into the workforce.

Burnham announced the new Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), an alternative for those who don’t want to take the university pathway or go directly into work. 

The plan is to connect young people to employers through seven MBacc gateways, giving them 45 days placement in fields including construction, finance, creative, and health.

Health: The Live Well scheme

When it comes to health, social care, and wellbeing, Burnham says “we’ve never given prevention a proper go.” With this in mind, GMCA announced the Live Well scheme – part of Greater Manchester’s Integrated Care Partnership. 

The initiative aims to take pressure off public services, by focusing on prevention, rather than waiting until people are in crisis. Proposed ‘Live Well’ centres, community spaces aim to support people individually and tackle the root cause when it comes to jobs, health, housing, debt, food, family and social support and connection. 

The scheme is the first of its kind in the country.

Sport: Old Trafford regeneration chair announced

Another huge announcement last night came as Lord Sebastian Coe was announced as Chair designate for the regeneration of Old Trafford Stadium – home, of course, to football team Manchester United.

The development is set to be the biggest sports-led scheme since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in which Lord Coe himself headed the successful bid and delivery.

Despite being an Everton fan, Mayor Burnham gleamed as four-time olympic medal winner Coe spoke to us via video:

“There’s huge potential to bring new homes and jobs to the area around the Manchester United stadium. 

And looking ahead, I see a chance to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup to a new Old Trafford Stadium in 2035. The home nations are the sole bidder, which presents a rare opportunity to bid to host the global football family.

It’s about listening to and working with residents to create a vibrant, inclusive district, with high‑quality housing, green spaces, world‑class leisure and education facilities, and improved transport links.”

The development hopes to add £4.2bn to Trafford’s economy, with 48,000 new jobs.

Manchester: A great place to do business!

As a Manchester agency, we already knew just how fantastic our city is to do business. One of the UK’s leading digital hubs – Manchester is home to thousands of companies making real changes across innovative industries.

We’re well integrated with local businesses with 20 years in the industry. In fact, our founder Matt and finance director Sue are both directors of K-Club – an entrepreneur network supporting entrepreneurs and businesses across Greater Manchester and the North.

If you’d like to work with a Manchester digital, web and creative agency in the heart of the city, get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

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