Our CEO, Jacqui Thomasen, recently attended a development day for 'Our Business Greater Manchester', a consortium co-op of which the College is a founding member. Our Business GM is a platform designed to support and empower Greater Manchester’s social economy. During its initial set-up and development, Our Business GM will be housed within Co-ops UK. It aims to facilitate business growth, training, support, and networking among organisations who form part of the area’s social economy, while promoting their products and services to enhance community wealth-building.

Speaking via video link from the UN Headquarters in New York, Co-ops UK's CEO, Rose Marley, explained “Our Business GM was established to address the significant economic and social disparities within Greater Manchester. Despite the city region's economic successes in sectors like FinTech and the creative industries, a substantial portion of its population, particularly children, lives in poverty. This hub will help to grow and retain wealth within communities across Greater Manchester.”  

The initiative is being championed by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Although he was unable to attend the development day due to having been called to Downing Street on the day of the event, he has previously spoken highly of the initiative, saying: “Creating opportunities that are owned by the communities they serve is at the heart of how we operate in Greater Manchester and is the way we can forge real, sustainable change.”

It is early days for the project, but we're excited to be part of such an innovative initiative with likeminded partners and the potential to transform our community.