Grant Thornton backs Manchester science conference

Professional services network Grant Thornton has signed a sponsorship deal with The Business of Science Conference coming to Manchester next month.

The company joins chemicals manufacturer BASF, the headline sponsor, and named sponsor Manchester Science Partnerships in backing the event.

Coinciding with Manchester’s status as Europe’s City of Science, the conference will seek to explore the ways in which commercialised science is driving growth across the Northern Powerhouse region.

Grant Thornton’s North West partner, Philip Grindley, said: “Grant Thornton is delighted to be to be supporting this important regional event, which in conjunction with Manchester’s status as European City of Science 2016, highlights the strategic importance of this sector.

“Commercialising the knowledge base presence in the region’s universities is, and will increasingly be, an important driver of economic growth for the North West.”

He added: “One of the focuses of Grant Thornton’s new Vibrant Economy campaign to stimulate growth is the need to create thriving environments, and it is encouraging to see strides are already being made in the North West to develop clusters for collaborative growth in science around the Corridor Manchester, at SciTech Daresbury and also at Alderley Park.”

Steve Bennett, the managing director of event host Science North Limited, said having Grant Thornton on board is “a huge enhancement” for the conference.

Other backers include digital firms Wakelet and Cindr, online ticket platform Fatsoma, and marketing companies Active Profile and WolfeLive.

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