Tremendous changes brought exponential growth in opportunities 

Alison Ross, Chief People & Operations Officer at AutoTrader and Chair of Manchester Digital, was asked about her experience in the industry and the biggest changes she has witnessed. She stated, “There has been a tremendous change in the ecosystem and the tech cluster here in Manchester. Ten years ago, our main concern was preventing the brain drain as graduates were moving to London, and small agencies dominated the sector in Manchester. In the last ten years, everything has changed. We have reached a marvellous tipping point in the cluster and ecosystem, with abundant talent drawing in big global businesses to the region. I believe the rise of Manchester’s tech cluster will continue with access to appropriate talent and skills. This is just the beginning.” 

Richard Fee, Head of Drama and Executive Producer at Quay Street Productions believes the television industry has reached a tipping point due to the emergence of new players such as streaming services, US broadcasters, and international co-productions. This has led to increased production costs and rates, making financing productions more challenging. However, Fee is optimistic about the future, noting that the industry may be on the road to recovery. 

Professional advice and guidance needed for navigating the complex environment  

Ranvir Singh, Investment Manager at GC Angels, stressed the importance of founders being aware of the funding landscape. While it is natural for Early-stage founders to focus primarily on their product, they should also pay attention to the various funding options besides private investment. Having a solid business and financial plan is crucial to avoid running out of money, which is the top reason for business failure. Organisations like GM Business Growth Hub offer guidance and support for founders. 

On growing the talent pool for the creative and tech sector, Beckie Taylor, founder of Tech Returners, said, “There are so many opportunities for people to get into tech, in terms of apprenticeship route, graduate scheme, boot camp, etc., and the actual challenges are employers to be open to those opportunities and giving it a go. One thing that concerns me is the proposed legislation for businesses regarding employment law regarding the employees’ rights from day one, which is a major change compared to the current situation. This will require employers to focus more on their recruitment process, creating a lot of nervousness for start-up companies. Businesses should seek professional advice to manage the impact as hiring the right talents is at the forefront for growth.” 

Dream big and have a plan to be the first  

Alex Gregson, Head of Audio at 344 Audio, also announced his ambitious plan at the event, said, “Something we are passionate about is growing our postproduction team in the North for the film industry. There is a big problem with postproduction not happening here despite a lot of major filming taking place. We invested heavily in expanding our facilities in this area, and we are currently on the roadmap to build the first nationally significant sound mixing facilities here, which will be the biggest in the UK, putting Manchester on the map as a serious destination for postproduction.” 

The panel speakers’ insights sparked a meaningful on-site discussion. The event transformed into a source of inspiration that will shape the future of Greater Manchester as the heart of the Creative and Tech sector in the UK, through conversations with industry forerunners who participated. 

You can watch the replay of the event in the link below: 

https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:7253000819795456002/