Manchesterism, the Manchester Model and Inclusive Growth
| Dates: | 21 October 2026 |
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| Times: | 16:30 - 18:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Alliance Manchester Business School |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, External researchers, Adults, Alumni, Current University students, General public |
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| Speaker: | Professor Jun Du - facilitator, Henri Murison MBE, Professor Nigel Driffield, Professor Melanie Jones, Professor Philip McCann |
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Manchester has often been presented as one of the UK's most successful examples of place-based economic development.
But what can the "Manchester Model" really tell us about boosting productivity, attracting investment and driving inclusive growth across the country?
Taking place shortly ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn Budget, this Vital Topics Global event will bring together leading economists, policy specialists and regional stakeholders to discuss the latest evidence on Manchester's economic success. The panel will explore the role of devolution, long-term institutional collaboration, university-business partnerships and international investment in shaping Greater Manchester's development.
The discussion will move beyond celebration to ask harder questions. Which aspects of Manchester's experience have genuinely driven productivity and growth? What challenges remain? And to what extent can the conditions behind Manchester's success be replicated in other places facing different economic realities?
Against the backdrop of a renewed national focus on growth, industrial strategy and regional development, the panel will consider what lessons policymakers, business leaders and local institutions can take from Manchester's experience, and where caution is needed when applying the model elsewhere.
There will be refreshments and networking from 16:00 with the event starting at 16:30.
Alliance MBS has partnered with leading property developer Renaker to extend this lecture series to our international centres.
This event is delivered by AMBS and The Productivity Institute.
Speakers
Professor Jun Du - facilitator
Role: Managing Director
Organisation: The Productivity Institute
Biography: Jun is an applied economist whose main research interest is to understand the driving forces and impediments of productivity enhancement and economic growth, from multi-level dimensions of individuals, firms, industries, regions, governments, and their interplays, in both developed and emerging economic contexts (China in particular). She is Director of the Centre for Business Prosperity at Aston University. In August 2026, Jun was appointed Managing Director of The Productivity Institute, where she leads the Institute into its next phase of research, policy engagement and impact.
Henri Murison MBE
Role: Chief Executive
Organisation: The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Biography: Henri is the Chief Executive at The Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Since his appointment in 2017 he has established the partnership as the business led organisation which convenes the North together. From having made the case consistently for Northern Powerhouse Rail, to challenging for a better deal for the most disadvantaged from the education system, his team are focused on how government, business and partners can drive the North’s ambitions.
Professor Nigel Driffield
Role: Professor of International Business and the Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Regional Engagement
Organisation: Warwick Business School.
Biography: His main research interests are economics of international business with a focus on the nexus between firm strategy, such as location decisions, and local responses seeking to influence this in both the home and the host country. He is on several editorial review boards and also works with a number of local and national stakeholders on issues relating to inward investment and economic development.
Professor Melanie Jones
Role: Professor of Economics and Academic Lead of the Wales Productivity Forum
Organisation: Cardiff Business School
Biography: Melanie is a Professor of Economics at Cardiff Business School and is the Academic Lead on the Wales Productivity Forum. Her research in empirical labour economics involves the quantitative analysis of large-scale secondary data. She has worked on a variety of policy relevant issues but has a particular interest in gender equality and the interaction between health and the labour market
Professor Philip McCann
Role: Sir Terry Leahy Chair in Urban and Regional Economics
Organisation: Alliance Manchester Business School
Biography: Philip McCann specialises in spatial economics and economic geography and is one of the UK’s most highly cited social scientists. He has also been a Special Adviser to two European Commissioners, an advisor to the European Commission, the OECD, the European Investment Bank, as well as government ministries and research institutes in several countries. He joined The University of Manchester in July 2022 from the University of Sheffield. In May 2024, he was appointed the Sir Terry Leahy Chair in Urban and Regional Economics.
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Aliiance Manchester Business School
Booth Street West
Manchester
