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Living and Working in Manchester: Thriving Industries, Leading Companies, and Career Opportunities
07 Apr, 20256 minutes
Manchester is an energetic city that combines business innovation with a high quality of life. Its thriving job market presents exciting opportunities for senior professionals and executives in a wide range of industries.
According to EY’s Economic Growth Report, Manchester’s economic output is forecast to grow 2.1% (£2.9 billion) by 2027, which outpaces London’s rate of 1.7%. There is a particularly strong demand for C-suite and senior-level talent as the city experiences rapid growth and digital transformation. 
In this article, we explore what makes Manchester a fantastic place to live and work, as well as looking at the industries and companies that are thriving and the skills and roles that are in high demand.
What Makes Manchester a Great Place to Live?
A Well-Balanced Lifestyle
Manchester’s convenient location in the North-West of England offers an ideal mix of urban activity and natural beauty. It has a lively city centre with a vast range of restaurants, shops, and attractions to explore, as well as being located near the Lake District and Peak District National Parks. It also boasts the Pennines as a stunning natural backdrop, offering residents a blend of urban life and picturesque countryside.
Vibrant Culture and Entertainment Scene
Manchester is a city full of culture, with a rich history in music, art, and sports. The city is home to legendary venues such as the AO Arena and the new Co-op Live Arena, while its vibrant Northern Quarter boasts a thriving arts scene. There are also a wide range of museums and theatres to keep residents and visitors from all over the world entertained. Professionals relocating for Manchester jobs can enjoy an active social life outside of work, making the city a top destination for work-life balance.
Affordable Cost of Living Compared to London
Manchester offers a high standard of living at a fraction of the cost of London. According to data from Numbeo, the cost of living including rent is 30.7% lower in Manchester than in the capital city. Executives exploring Manchester job opportunities often appreciate the city’s balance between affordability and lifestyle, with more manageable rent, property prices, and daily expenses making the city attractive to senior professionals. 
World-Class Sports Legacy
The city has a strong sporting legacy, with world-class football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City attracting fans from across the globe. The city also has a rich history in hosting other major sporting events, such as the Rugby League World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup, and matches at the 2028 UEFA European Championship.
What Makes Manchester a Great Place to Work?
Access to a Skilled Talent Pool
Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester are both ranked in the top 50 of the Times Higher Education global ranking and produce graduates equipped with the skills needed for today’s competitive job market. This creates a skilled talent pool that makes the city an ideal location for companies looking to build innovative workforces capable of driving long-term success.
Varied Industries
A wide range of industries drive Manchester’s dynamic economy and provide diverse and exciting career opportunities for senior professionals. As well as driving innovation, this opens doors for individuals open to transferring their skillsets to a different sector, which promotes personal growth and development.
Convenient Transport Links
Manchester is known for its excellent transport links, with Statista data finding that the city’s Metrolink recorded 42 million passenger journeys, making it the second-largest light rail and tram system in the UK, after London’s Docklands Light Railway. Manchester is also well connected by an international airport and has efficient rail links to London and other major cities. These links are a major attraction for professionals seeking executive roles, as they provide easy connectivity to clients and global markets.
Home to Big Brands and Media Links
Known to some as the “Capital of the North”, Manchester attracts major brands due to its global business presence and digital innovation. Manchester is also home to MediaCityUK, a leading centre for creative and digital media that hosts major broadcasters and production companies. This mix of influential brands and media companies opens a wide variety of opportunities for collaboration and career advancement. 
Which Industries are Thriving in Manchester?
Technology and Data Centres
Manchester’s reputation as a hub for technology has boosted the data centre industry, with a current total of 28 data centres in Manchester. The city’s investments in high-speed networks and modern facilities have attracted a mix of innovative starters and global industry leaders such as Equinix and Pulsant.
Software developers and engineers are in highest demand in the sector, and the 6th highest across all sectors in Manchester, according to GMCA. Expertise in this area is crucial for developing scalable software solutions and managing IT systems to keep up with digital advancements.
Life Sciences and Healthcare
There has been significant investment in Manchester’s life sciences sector, largely due to the city’s strong science ecosystem that facilitates collaboration between researchers, businesses, universities, and healthcare providers. According to DAC Beachcroft, the wider North-West region employs over 7,600 people in R&D sites and has seen a 28% increase in these sites, attracting senior talent and reinforcing Manchester’s reputation as a global leader in life sciences. 
With leading companies such as AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson having a strong presence in the city, professionals in this sector must have a strong understanding of regulations and be capable of driving innovation through research and development to maintain Manchester's reputation as a global leader in life sciences.
Construction and Civil Engineering
The construction and civil engineering sectors are thriving in Manchester, with the government setting a target to build 75,000 homes over the next 5 years, the highest rate in 50 years. It’s estimated that this will create 11,000 new jobs in the industry, including senior roles that require managerial skills and sustainability expertise, however this creates a significant talent shortage.
Transport infrastructure is also a key area of Manchester’s construction sector, with technical and electrical engineers required for major projects such as the Manchester Airport expansion, which involves work from industry leaders like Laing O’Rourke and Arcadis. These engineering skills are crucial for ensuring the operational success of these projects, and management expertise is also needed to plan and oversee the process from start to finish.
Renewable Energy
In December 2024, GMCA launched the five-year environment plan, which outlined the city’s next steps to achieving its long-term goal of being carbon neutral by 2038. This is driven by the transition to renewable energy sources, with over 230 public buildings being fitted with low-carbon technology since 2019.
These targets are creating a strong demand for senior professionals in the wind and solar sectors, with shortages in project managers especially prominent. Leaders in these sectors need the ability to plan and execute projects efficiently as well as possessing fundamental engineering skills.
Industrial Engineering
Being one of the key locations at the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, it’s no surprise that Manchester is a national hub for industrial engineering and manufacturing. It’s a key sector for the city’s economy, employing around 115,000 people and making up 8-9% of Manchester’s overall workforce, according to GMCA. Leading companies in the area include Siemens, Jaguar Land Rover, Morson Projects, and Hitachi.
The increased integration of automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing is transforming operations across various industries, attracting senior talent with skills in data analysis and AI-driven systems.
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Manchester’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is thriving, driven by the city’s strategic location and strong logistics network, which streamlines distribution and supply chain management for major companies such as Heineken, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola. Modern automation technologies have transformed production processes by improving efficiency and product consistency.
This creates exciting opportunities for senior professionals skilled in process engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain optimisation. As consumers increasingly favour healthier and more sustainable options, leaders in this sector are increasingly essential to drive innovation and meet food safety standards while maintaining Manchester’s reputation as a dynamic manufacturing hub.
Thriving Companies in Manchester
The Co-operative Group
Founded in Manchester in 1863, The Co-operative Group has continued to thrive to this day, ranking as the UK’s fifth-largest food retailer with 5.5 million members and over 2,500 stores across the country. Its commitment to community engagement and responsible trading practices makes it an integral part of the local economy, with the company recently opening the UK’s most sustainable music and sport venue.
Alliance Medical
Alliance Medical is a key part of Manchester’s healthcare sector, with the company known across Europe for its innovation in diagnostic imaging and medical services. Although headquartered in Coventry, Alliance has a significant presence in Manchester, operating several imaging centers, including the Wythenshawe Hospital Cardiac MRI and CT Centre and the Stockport Imaging Centre. These world-class facilities attract industry leaders from across Europe, driving growth and success in Manchester’s life science sector.
SimpsonHaugh
SimpsonHaugh has played a pivotal role in Manchester’s urban development and investment landscape. The firm’s local expertise and strategic insights have shaped some of Manchester’s most significant projects, such as Deansgate Square, One Hardman Boulevard, and St John’s Place. 
Pulsant
Pulsant is a leading provider of data centre and cloud services in Manchester’s dynamic tech ecosystem. The company has expanded its Manchester data centre with a £4.5 million investment, adding 300kW of IT capacity and expanding the facility by 320 sqm to span four data halls and offer 1MW of power, contributing to the city’s technological innovations.
Unipart Group
Unipart Group is a leader in industrial engineering, offering expert solutions across manufacturing, supply chain management, and logistics. One of the UK’s largest employee-owned companies, the company’s focus on innovation through the integration of automation and robotics has transformed processes in Manchester’s thriving industrial landscape.
Recruitment Experts in Manchester
At CSG Talent, we have a specialist executive search team located in the heart of Manchester’s thriving business district. Contact our Manchester executive search team for help attracting and hiring top global talent for your business.
Our recruitment specialists leverage their extensive market insights and vast network of skilled candidates to deliver tailored recruitment solutions. For senior professionals, we provide personalised career guidance and help you find exciting leadership opportunities that align with your expertise and aspirations.
Whether you’re looking to fill senior positions in your company or looking to advance your own career, contact CSG Talent today.
We're always on the lookout for experienced Manchester recruiters and have current vacancies across all levels, so get in touch today if you’re looking for your next recruitment role in the region.
