Boardroom initiative to bring innovation to Manchester

A FORUM tasked with finding creative and practical solutions to the business challenges facing Greater Manchester has been set up by Manchester: Knowledge Capital.

The initiative, called the Innovation Manchester Boardroom, aims to make Manchester more able to tackle the economic, social and environmental challenges that it will face over the next 20 years.

The Boardroom is made up of around 200 members, drawn from Greater Manchester’s business, academic, cultural, public and third sector communities. Two thirds of its constituents are from the private sector.

The Boardroom concept has evolved from M: KC’s Innovation Manchester programme.  Launched 18 months ago, Innovation Manchester brought groups of business and civic leaders together and asked them to identify new ways to boost the city’s capacity for innovation – and to take the lead in driving forward the best ideas.

This led to the establishment of a series of pilot programmes to support skills development and graduate retention, including Manchester Masters, FabLabs, Creative Open Access and Innovate With Confidence.

Former television producer Kate Pickering, who has been appointed as innovation manager at Manchester: Knowledge Capital, will lead the organisation.

Ms Pickering said: “Manchester has always inspired an incredible sense of civic ownership amongst its many stakeholders and has a proud tradition of people from all walks of life helping to shape its identity.

“We want to capitalise on the wealth of knowledge and creativity that exists across the conurbation to tackle a range of 21st century challenges.”

She added: “I’m thrilled that so many passionate advocates of Manchester have agreed to give up both their time and their talent to help the region prosper, and I believe the Boardroom will act as a dynamic and collaborative platform where they can make a tangible contribution to its future development.”