January was a busy month for Greater Manchester, marked by a series of announcements that underline both the scale of ambition and the pace of delivery across the city region. That momentum is reflected in the latest Deloitte’s Manchester Crane Survey, which confirmed our position as the UK’s leading regional city for construction activity outside London. It highlights the strength of the development pipeline now moving into delivery and the key role that innovation and life sciences continue to play in this.
From the launch of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation to the establishment of the Atom Valley Northern Gateway MDC, long-term frameworks are now in place to unlock investment, regeneration and high-value employment in our key growth locations.
At the same time, international businesses continue to choose Greater Manchester. Vortex Biotech’s new state-of-the-art laboratory at Manchester Science Park and Mark43’s decision to locate its UK headquarters in the city highlight the city region’s strengths in life sciences, digital and technology.
Skills and talent remain central to this growth. As National Apprenticeship Week approaches, Stockport Council’s new Construction Skills and Employment Hub demonstrates how regeneration and workforce development are being aligned to ensure local people benefit from the opportunities being created. This edition of MIDAS Monthly brings together the latest investment, regeneration and skills stories shaping Greater Manchester’s future.
Don’t miss our Upcoming Events section for the top industry conferences and events our sector teams will be attending across Greater Manchester, the UK and beyond.
Big news from across Greater Manchester this month…
- Green Light for Northern Powerhouse Rail Plans
- Mayor Unveils Plan to Reindustrialise Greater Manchester
- World-first AI Partnership: University of Manchester x Microsoft
Old Trafford Mayoral Development Corporation Launches
Covering 370 acres, the MDC will deliver 15,000 new homes, including affordable housing, and create 48,000 local jobs with a total of over 90,000 jobs nationally. It will also support plans for a new world-class Manchester United stadium as part of wider infrastructure and regeneration projects. Once complete, the developments are expected to contribute over £7 billion per year to the UK economy, driving long-term growth, investment and opportunity for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Find out more about T Level placements
Vortex Biotech Opens Manchester Office
Vortex Biotech has opened its new state‑of‑the‑art laboratory at Manchester Science Park, significantly enhancing its R&D and commercial delivery capacity in precision oncology and liquid biopsy technologies. The Manchester facility will accelerate programmes in clinical validation, biomarker discovery and commercial services, and serve as the company’s European hub for research partnerships in single‑cell analysis, molecular profiling and AI‑driven data integration.
Learn more about Vortex Biotech’s plans
Mark43 Manchester Chooses Manchester for New HQ
Global public safety technology leader Mark43 has selected Manchester as the location for its new UK headquarters, creating dozens of high-skilled roles in software development, operations and support. Greater Manchester Police has chosen Mark43 to deliver a new cloud‑native Records Management System (RMS) — a platform that will streamline workflows and support frontline policing across the force. Mark43’s Manchester hub will broaden its technology delivery locally, and will soon launch an apprenticeship programme to develop skills in AI, cloud‑native software and data science for public safety operations.
Fitch Group Expands Investment in Manchester
Fitch Group is deepening its commitment to Manchester with expanded operations in the city, moving to a new, larger office at 5 New York Street. Since coming to Manchester in 2019, the company has increased local personnel and is actively recruiting new roles across technology and data, ratings and operations. The move highlights confidence in Manchester’s growing financial and professional services sector, its highly skilled talent pipeline, and the city’s world-class infrastructure that enables global businesses like Fitch to scale.
Discover more about Fitch’s expansion
Bolton Council Selects Crompton Place Developer
Bolton Council has named its development partners for the Crompton Place regeneration, marking a major step forward in transforming the town centre. The site will be developed by Federated Hermes’s specialist development arm, MEPC. The project will deliver new homes, modern commercial space, and significant public realm improvements, creating vibrant, connected neighbourhoods and supporting local businesses.
Stockport Council Launches Construction Skills Hub
Stockport Council has launched the One Stockport Construction Hub, connecting local people and businesses to skills, training and employment opportunities linked to the borough’s £1bn regeneration programme. The Hub addresses construction labour shortages, supports apprenticeships and upskilling, and promotes inclusive access to well-paid roles. By aligning workforce development with live investment projects, the hub will strengthen local supply chains and ensure growth delivers long-term benefits for residents and employers alike.
Learn more about the hub’s services
Atom Valley Northern Gateway MDC Launches
The Atom Valley Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation has been established, unlocking the next phase of growth across Bury and Rochdale. Covering a strategically important corridor across Bury and Rochdale, the MDC will deliver tens of thousands of new jobs, create significant new commercial and industrial space, and support the advanced manufacturing, clean energy and innovation sectors. By coordinating infrastructure, skills development and investment, the MDC is set to drive long-term economic growth, increase productivity, and strengthen the city region’s national and international competitiveness.
Did you know?
Manchester played a key role in applying and interpreting the brain’s electrical activity. At the University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Infirmary, Sir Geoffrey Jefferson linked localised brain injuries to changes in personality and behaviour. Denis John Williams introduced clinical EEG to the UK, helping measure electrical brain activity in patients. While the first human EEG was recorded by Hans Berger in 1924, Manchester’s work advanced clinical neuroscience, psychiatry, and understanding of the mind–body connection.
Upcoming Events
- Greater Manchester Creative Industries Mixer @Manchester, UK 11 February
- Tech Arena @Stockholm, Sweden 11-12 February
- Hett Leaders’ Summit @Leeds, UK 12 February
- Researcher to Founder Showcase @Manchester, UK 13 February
- BioAsia 2026 @Hyderabad, India 19-21 February
- Nasscom Technology & Leadership Forum @Mumbai, India, 24-25 February
- MAD//North @Manchester, UK 25-26 February
- Opencast 2026 International Summit @Manchester, UK 25-27 February
- Greater Manchester Green Summit @Manchester, UK 3 March
- Festival of Enterprise @Manchester, UK 20 March
- Manchester MRT Cluster Launch @Manchester, UK 24 March
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