Manchester should be first choice

March 2026

London is where it's at. End of. It's grim up north. No ambition or opportunity.

It's a tired trope and one I've never bought in to. And with good reason.

Last month Bloomberg News wrote the headline 'Manchester shows what UK economic revival can look like' on a feature about the city.

➡️ The city's economy is growing at twice the national average.
➡️ Fastest job growth of any in the UK.
➡️ Record foreign direct investment - more than anywhere outside the capital.
➡️The knowledge economy - lawyers, accountants, finance professionals - is growing hand over fist in Manchester.

Just look at the city's skyline and how it's changed over the last decade. And I've not mentioned football or music or the brilliant universities we have.

Yes, Manchester is thriving but the same article pointed out 40% of the city's districts are in the worst 10% of deprivation. Look at the recent by-election won by the candidate who campaigned on a 'cost of living' platform and wealth distribution. So there's work to be done for sure.

But the city and the people have what it takes. I set up in 2002 with a rented phone and office and two decades on we'd built a £100m+ business. Hard work yes but in a fertile environment that enabled and supported business and didn't object or block success. Now, with an exit behind me, I'm building again in the city.

Manchester's vibrancy and economic performance is now attracting a different kind of capital too. Private equity and financial services firms are recognising what locals have known for years: the fundamentals are strong, the talent pool is deep, and the returns on backing businesses in this region are real. It's why firms like Graphite Partners are building here rather than just looking here. Why IBM, Bosch, Booking.com are putting down roots in the city.

Manchester in 2026 isn't a northern alternative to London. It's a genuine first choice. Let's 'ave it, as some might say.