Ex-NWDA boss Hughes lands Manchester role
THE former boss of the North West Development Agency, has landed a plum role leading Greater Manchester’s trade, investment, business growth and support efforts.
Mark Hughes, who was recently been made an MBE for his services to the region’s business community, has been appointed group chief executive of what is likely to be called the Greater Manchester Growth Company, a newly-formed body responsible for spearheading trade, investment, business growth and support in Greater Manchester.
In this role, Mr Hughes, who was the last chief executive of the NWDA before its closure, will oversee the work of the city region’s inward investment agency, MIDAS; trade and investment services, including UKTI; the Business Growth Hub and Finance for Business
Mr Hughes begins his new role today, will work towards objectives of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Local Enterprise Partnership.
He will report to joint chairman of Ian Stewart, city mayor of Salford, representing the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Mike Oglesby chairman of Bruntwood, representing the private sector.
Mr Oglesby said: “Mark’s broad experience of working with businesses in the North West made him the clear choice for this position.”.”
Mr Hughes, 46, said: “I look forward to working with colleagues at MIDAS, UKTI and the Business Growth Hub to integrate all that Greater Manchester has to offer to businesses and to ensure that the city region capitalises on the opportunities that increasingly devolved local governance can provide.”
Ian Stewart added: “This new organisation, under Mark’s stewardship, will enable us to further strengthen the relationship between local and central government, shaping the business support services provided to ensure that we are creating local jobs for local people.”
