New Economy chief Emmerich moving on

ONE of the leading lights behind the Greater Manchester drive towards devolution, Mike Emmerich, is stepping down from his role as chief executive of New Economy.

Emmerich is leaving the agency which delivers policy, strategy and research for the Greater Manchester to launch a new business venture.

Mark Hughes, chief executive of Manchester Growth Company (MGC) – which oversees New Economy said: “We wish Mike all the very best for his future career and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his efforts and achievements to improve the economic prosperity of Greater Manchester.”
 
“During his time as chief executive for New Economy, Mike has played a key role in the evolution of Greater Manchester’s governance and its economic policy agenda.

“He created what we now know as New Economy from Manchester Enterprises, initiated and developed the Manchester Independent Economic Review and led its implementation, and in so do doing, has changed the way the city thinks, preparing the ground for the devolution agenda of today.”
 
Emmerich, said: “Over the past eight years, we’ve managed to build something exceptionally unique here in Greater Manchester; a ground-breaking organisation that supports the combined authority through dedicated research, expertise and independent thinking.
 
“With projects such as the Manchester Independent Economic Review through to securing funding for the National Graphene Institute and the recent devolution deal, I’m proud to have developed New Economy as a national and international exemplar for research and evaluation.
 
“It’s an organisation that is underpinned by a dedicated team who have contributed towards some truly seismic shifts in our region’s economic development.

“Of course I’m sad to depart, but I leave New Economy in very capable hands with Simon Nokes and the rest of senior management remaining at the helm.  Indeed this is an exciting time for Manchester and having been instrumental in securing the conurbation’s recent devolution deal – I feel this is now the right time for me to move onto pastures new.”      
 
“I look forward to announcing more about a new project that I will be working upon in due course.”