Why Manchester’s C-Suite Is One to Watch

Manchester: The Best City in the UK?
Absolutely. I could be biased, I love living and working in Manchester, but the data supports it. Manchester isn’t just a great place to live and work; it’s fast becoming the business growth capital of the UK.

Economic forecasts suggest the city will grow faster than the national average in the coming years—and the level of investment supports that. Private equity activity in the North-West surged last year, reaching over £20 billion in deal value. Foreign direct investment is also rising, with Manchester ranked as the top UK city for new FDI projects outside of London.

That’s not by chance. It reflects the ambition, talent, and opportunity this city consistently delivers.

What This Means for Senior Finance Roles
I work with senior finance professionals—Finance Directors, CFOs, and Heads of Finance, as well as Group Financial Controllers and Heads of FP & A, so I see first-hand how leadership decisions influence business growth.

It’s not just large corporates making moves. Scale-ups and mid-market firms across tech, services, and manufacturing are creating new opportunities for C-suite talent. And what’s changed is how businesses are approaching these hires.

The right executive appointment isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about unlocking strategic transformation and ultimately value:

• Creating structure and clarity for the future
• Preparing for investment or acquisition
• Building out high-performing teams beneath them

Finance leaders are central to all of that—and getting the hire right has a ripple effect across the entire business.

Long-Term Relationships Matter
Executive recruitment in Manchester isn’t about short-term fixes. It’s about understanding what makes each business different, building trust, and having the right network to introduce people who will make a meaningful impact.

At SF Executive, we pride ourselves on being connected, relatable, and authentic. We’re not trying to sound like management consultants or sell a vision that doesn’t exist. We’re here to build long-lasting partnerships—and help businesses find the people they need to thrive in a city that’s going places.

If you’re growing, hiring, or just planning your next move—we should talk.

By Max Sworder, Executive Recruitment – SF Executive, Manchester