Media and digital spotlight for Greater Manchester’s Mayoral candidates

Three candidates in the race to become Greater Manchester’s first-ever mayor will meet next month to discuss the impact the election will have on the area’s thriving media and digital scene.

At the MPA’s Big Debate, Labour’s Andy Burnham and Trafford councillors Sean Anstee (Conservatives) and Jane Brophy (Liberal Democrats) will examine how the new political structure will affect the 300k-plus people employed in Greater Manchester’s creative, media and digital community, which is the second-biggest outside London.

The discussion will be sponsored by property firm Bruntwood and chaired by Christian James, managing director of Altrincham-based The If Agency.

Coming together at the newly created Neo Building in central Manchester on April 12, the three mayoral candidates will be challenged on their views by a panel made up of business leaders.

Cindy Simmons, the MD of the MPA, a not-for-profit membership organisation representing Manchester’s creative, media, publishing and digital businesses, said: “We are delighted to partner with Bruntwood and create a platform for the mayoral candidates to share their vision for nurturing and strengthening a community that is such an economic driving force for our region.”

Christian James commented: “The Big debate is a vital event for anyone working in Manchester’s creative, media or digital sector. We’ve got three outstanding candidates battling for the biggest job in Greater Manchester and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“There is around £900m on the table and the new Mayor will in theory be wielding phenomenal power and influence.”

He continued: “Are they going to slam a foot to the growth accelerator and help our sector realise its undoubted potential… or is our GM Metro Mayor going to be so wrapped up in Whitehall tape and distracted by such a broad remit that we’re going to see a tailing off of support and funding over the next few years? It’s going to be a big debate!”

Bruntwood CEO Chris Oglesby said: “When the MPA approached us about working in partnership on their Big Debate series we were instantly interested as the creative, media and digital community has become an important part of our customer base and is having an increasing influence on the Greater Manchester region.”