Northshoring to Manchester

Manchester is a prime northshoring location for companies moving or expanding operations from London due to the city’s outstanding talent, affordability and connectivity.

For companies looking to spread operational risk, reduce operating costs and access expert talent to establish new teams, Manchester offers a high quality, low risk solution.

As the UK's largest regional digital, technology and Cyber economy, Greater Manchester is also home to the largest regional financial, professional and business services industry outside of London and is one of Europe’s leading shared service centre locations. Manchester is the only UK city outside of the capital with all elements of the sub-sectors represented at scale – from banking, financial services and FinTech to insurance, HR, accounting and legal.

As a result, companies that northshore to Manchester can access talent across a deep and diverse range of disciplines but at a 30-40% cost saving compared to the capital.

Manchester has an impressive legacy and reputation for providing northshoring solutions, consolidating its position as a prime choice for shared service, corporate functions and technology operations with a mature ecosystem and a wealth of talent.

Responding to the pandemic’s pressure on businesses to navigate the way they operate, as well as the unpredictability of once stable locations leading to new emerging markets, Manchester’s connectivity enables the global supply chain, offering businesses reassurance in a developing landscape.

Global companies including BNY Mellon, Natwest, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Fitch Ratings and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner have reaped the benefits of establishing operations in Manchester – many of them expanding their northern activity beyond original objectives due to the opportunities and talent available in the city.

Since March 2020, MIDAS has been working alongside the Government's Places for Growth team on one of the largest and most disruptive northshoring programmes. We have supported departments including DESNZ, DCMS,  BDUK and DSIT with their plans to enable more senior policy, leadership and digital civil service roles to move to Greater Manchester. Plans to mature the city has seen several civil services hubs emerge with new developments including Salford's 'First Street' Manchester, and in the north of the city in Ancoats, a bespoke five-acre Manchester Digital Campus (pictured below).