TheCityUK appoints industry champion for Greater Manchester
TheCityUK has appointed Andrew Westbrook, Partner, corporate finance advisory, Deloitte, as its new City Chair for Greater Manchester.
In his new role, Andrew will be a key industry figurehead for Greater Manchester and the wider north west, championing the industry’s considerable local contribution and progressing opportunities for greater collaboration and engagement across the region and the country.
He assumes the role from Richard Bell, practice managing partner, Deloitte in the north west, who is stepping down after making considerable progress during his time as City Chair in promoting the value and contribution financial and related professional services have made to the city and the region.
Miles Celic, chief executive officer, TheCityUK, said: “The UK is a world-leading international financial centre and this is not down to London. Cities right across the country play a critical role, collectively employing more than two thirds of the people who work in this industry – 250,000 of those in the north west alone. TheCityUK’s network of City Chairs is central to our efforts to promote what a national asset this industry is and its contribution to regional and national economies.
“I am very pleased to welcome Andrew Westbrook as our new City Chair for Greater Manchester – a vital region for this industry. I am sure he will continue the good work Richard Bell has been doing over his time in the role – for which we are very grateful.”
Andy Westbrook, TheCityUK City Chair for Greater Manchester and practice senior partner (north west), corporate finance advisory, Deloitte, said: “Greater Manchester is already the fastest growing financial centre in the UK, yet few people who live here are aware of the huge part this industry plays in the city’s economy. I’m excited to take on the role of City Chair for Greater Manchester for TheCityUK as it gives me the chance to spread the word about this massive Manchester success story.”
Last year TheCityUK’s ‘Enabling Growth across the UK 2018’ report showed that financial and related professional services jobs in the north west soared by 13.6% from 220,000 to 250,000 people in just one year. This regional growth in industry jobs outpaced that in all other parts of the country, with the next largest growth centres being the east of England (7%), Scotland (7%) and London (5%).
In Manchester, more than 45,500 people work in financial and related professional services, together contributing over 15% of the city’s total economic output.
The north west is a centre of excellence for banking, general insurance, management consulting and accountancy. Manchester remains at the heart of the industry, accounting for one fifth (21%) of industry employment in the region. The quality of the north west’s infrastructure and access to talent has meant investors have been attracted to a location that can deliver a consistent level of service to its international client base. It is also a growing hub for FinTech – seen as a significant future growth area for the industry.
