Ashcroft takes economist role at Manchester chamber
JOHN Ashcroft, the chief executive of Pro Manchester, has been appointed as the new chief economist for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Dr Ashcroft will continue to lead Pro Manchester, the membership body for the professional and financial sector in the city, on a part-time basis.
He replaces Brian Sloan who joined the Bank of England as deputy agent for the North West last month.
The chamber’s chief executive Clive Memmott said: “This sort of collaborative work between two key Greater Manchester bodies, I believe, is the blueprint for the future. John’s appointment as chief economist, gives us an invaluable extra level of economic insight and commercial understanding that will add real value to our members.
“With his extensive experience, knowledge and connections, John will be an excellent ambassador for the important work we want to deliver in the coming months and years and will complement and enhance the existing talent we have within the Chamber.”
Dr Ashcroft said: “Joining the chamber during what is a truly transformational time in its history represents the kind of challenge to which I’m really looking forward. GMCC, with both an illustrious past and a bright, exciting future, was too good an opportunity to miss.
“At GMCC, I want to help build an even more authoritative voice on economics for Greater Manchester, capitalising on the strengths of the chamber’s quarterly economic survey and the Budget for Greater Manchester 2013. What I’m determined to ensure is that this insight is increasingly relevant and helpful to the chamber’s membership.”
