Manning takes helm at Manchester’s MIDAS

Joe Manning has been appointed managing director of MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, and will take the helm at the organisation charged with driving significant levels of new investment into Greater Manchester.  

Manning joins the business from his former role as deputy chief executive at Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and previously spent time as deputy director for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 

His appointment comes as the city region was ranked highly in the Financial Times’ FDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023/24 report.  

Greater Manchester and the City of Manchester ranked 2nd and 3rd place respectively for Business Friendliness and 2nd best for its FDI strategy, both crucial aspects in creating an attractive offer for ambitious businesses. Criteria for the accolades included ease of setting up and doing business, the number of companies in key growth sectors and number of jobs created. 

Manchester was the only UK city to make the overall ranking of the Large European City of the Future and was listed as the only Large UK City in the top 10 for its Economic Potential and Connectivity, both of which contribute to the city thriving as a world class business hub.  

Commenting on his appointment, Joe Manning said:  “I am delighted to take on this role at MIDAS. Foreign Direct Investment has a key role to play in creating a greener, fairer, and more prosperous Greater Manchester and it’s brilliant to see the city-region’s strong investment proposition recognised. I look forward to working with our partners in the public and private sector to deliver our internationalisation strategy and continue this important work.”

Manning brings extensive experience of leading strategic place marketing activity and high-level business engagement.