iNVEST MANCHESTER Monthly | May 2026

Published on

May 13, 2026

Greater Manchester continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for investment, innovation and business growth. Recent research has once again ranked Manchester as the strongest office market outside London, underlining continued investor confidence and sustained occupier demand across the city region.

This growing confidence is also reshaping the skyline, with recent BBC coverage highlighting Manchester’s emergence as Europe’s fourth tallest city by number of skyscrapers under construction, a visible reflection of the scale of ambition, development and long-term investment transforming the city region.

This month’s stories reflect the breadth of activity taking place across Greater Manchester’s sectors, from pioneering low-carbon infrastructure projects and major office investments to continued expansion in financial and digital services. Together, they demonstrate a city region combining sustainability, talent and connectivity to support long-term growth across multiple sectors.

This edition also comes as we prepare for a major presence at UKREiiF 2026, where we will join partners from across Greater Manchester to showcase investment opportunities, regeneration projects and the ambitious plans shaping the city region’s future. The event provides an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote key development opportunities and demonstrate why Greater Manchester remains one of Europe’s most dynamic places to invest, scale and do business.

If you’re attending UKREiiF 2026, we would welcome the opportunity to connect and discuss how Invest Manchester can support your growth ambitions in the city region.

Canopius Opens New Centre of Operational Excellence

Global specialty insurer Canopius has opened a new Centre of Operational Excellence in Manchester, further strengthening the city region’s position as a major UK hub for professional and financial services. The new operation will support a range of business functions and create high-skilled employment opportunities, with Manchester selected due to its strong talent pool, connectivity and business environment. The investment reflects continued confidence from international firms choosing Greater Manchester as a strategic location for growth and operational expansion.

NOMA Gears Up for Next Phase of Development

NOMA is entering its next phase of growth with the appointment of new agents to support the continued evolution of one of Manchester city centre’s most significant neighbourhood regeneration projects. The next stage of development will build on NOMA’s transformation into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining workspace, retail, hospitality and public realm.

Discover more about the future of NOMA

Partnership Uses Urmston Data Centre Heat to Warm Leisure Centre Pool

An innovative partnership in Trafford is demonstrating how Greater Manchester is supporting sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon innovation. Digital infrastructure company Deep Green has partnered with energy technology specialist Zendo to use waste heat generated from a new data centre in Urmston to help warm a local leisure centre swimming pool. The project highlights the growing role of smart energy solutions in supporting both digital growth and the transition to net zero, while showcasing Greater Manchester’s ability to deliver practical innovation with community impact.

Software Business Signs for New Manchester Office

Technology businesses continue to invest in Manchester city centre, reinforcing demand for high-quality workspace and access to the city region’s skilled talent base. Professional services automation software company CMap has signed for new office space at Arkwright House, marking another significant commitment to the city region from a fast-growing technology business. CMap has agreed a deal for space within the Grade II-listed office building overlooking Parsonage Gardens, which has undergone extensive refurbishment to provide high-quality workspace and amenities in a prime city centre location.

Learn more about the deal

Rise at Seven Expands Manchester Presence with New HQ

Digital marketing agency Rise at Seven has announced plans to relocate from Sheffield and significantly expand its Manchester operations with a new headquarters in the city centre. The move underlines Greater Manchester’s growing reputation as a leading UK hub for creative, digital and media businesses, supported by a strong pipeline of talent, collaborative networks and access to major national and international markets. The company cites Manchester was chosen as its new HQ as the city is “better connected, closer to global clients, and at the centre of the UK’s strongest digital talent pool”.

Find out more about the expansion

Did you know?

Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison, accepts the Milestone Award by the IEEE for the Manchester Code

Technology invented in Manchester more than 75 years ago is still being used to communicate with spacecraft travelling through interstellar space today?

Developed at The University of Manchester in 1948, Manchester Code revolutionised the way digital information is transmitted and stored. Originally designed for early computer systems, the technology became a global standard for data communications and remains embedded in modern systems including RFID card readers, ethernet networks and television remote controls.

Perhaps most remarkably, NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, the most distant human-made objects ever created, still rely on Manchester Code to communicate with Earth across billions of kilometres of space. Its elegant ‘self-clocking’ design allows data to be transmitted with exceptional reliability, helping support communications far beyond our solar system.

Learn more about the Manchester Code.