Festival of Business 2026
Reimagining the North: built for change, made to last
25-26 November 2026
Change is no longer a phase to manage - it's the new operating environment. This two-day summit at Alliance Manchester Business School brings together the people shaping Greater Manchester and the North's future: business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, academics and civic partners, addressing the challenges facing organisations today and the practical solutions required for long-term, inclusive growth.
General admission tickets cost £25 (discounts available for students).
Why attend?
Over two days you'll:
- Hear from leading figures in business, policy and academia
- Explore the biggest challenges facing organisations across the North, including skills, investment and AI
- Discover practical approaches to responsible and sustainable growth
- Contribute to cross-sector discussions shaping the future of the region
- Build connections with senior leaders and decision-makers
Festival of Business 2025 highlights
Register now to join the conversation shaping the future of the North
Two days of insight, discussion and networking with leaders from business, policy and academia.
Event schedule
Day one explores the key challenges facing Greater Manchester and the North, exploring the economic, social and technological pressures shaping organisations and the region's future.
08:30 to 09:30 – Networking coffee
09:30 to 11:00 – Opening keynote and Q&A
11:00 to 11:15 – Comfort break
11:15 to 12:30 – Facilitated roundtable: where the pressure is now – a cross-sector conversation on business challenges
12:30 to 13:30 – Lunch
13:30 to 15:00 – Panel discussion: navigating the role of technology in the age of AI
15:00 to 15:15 – Coffee break
15:15 to 16:30 – Keynote and Q&A: Matt Moulding, THG
16:30 – Close and wrap-up
Day two focuses on practical solutions, partnerships and leadership approaches that can support responsible growth across Greater Manchester and the North.
08:30 to 09:30 – Networking coffee
09:30 to 11:00 – Panel discussion: From Greater Manchester to government – what does responsible growth mean if the North helps set the national agenda?
11:00 to 11:15 – Comfort break
11:15 to 12:30 – Panel discussion: responding to the top 10 challenges from day one
12:30 to 13:30 – Lunch
13:30 to 14:00 – Masterclass: Cary Cooper and Lina Siegl on the future of work and wellbeing
14:00 to 15:30 – Closing keynote: drawing together the themes of the summit and focusing on what comes next
15:30 to 16:00 – Close and wrap-up
Frequently asked questions
This event is designed for senior business leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics and civic partners who are interested in shaping the future of Greater Manchester and the North.
Sessions will explore responsible growth, innovation, AI and technology, skills, productivity, investment, wellbeing and place-based economic development.
You'll gain insight into the challenges and opportunities facing organisations across the North, hear from leading experts and decision-makers, and connect with professionals working across business, policy and academia.
Student tickets cost £5 and general admission tickets cost £25. Both tickets include access to the full two-day summit programme.
Your ticket includes access to both days of the Festival of Business, and there are no individual day tickets available. While attending both days is not mandatory, we strongly recommend it. The event is designed as a two-day experience, with day one exploring key challenges and opportunities, and day two focusing on practical solutions, actionable insights, and what comes next.
Yes. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days of the summit and are included in the ticket price.
The Festival of Business will take place at Alliance Manchester Business School on The University of Manchester campus.
The Hyatt Regency Manchester is located on the Alliance Manchester Business School campus, making it a convenient option for event attendees.
Preferential rates are available for students, staff, alumni and attendees of events at Alliance Manchester Business School and The University of Manchester. For group bookings of 15 or more people, please email hotel@manchester.ac.uk.
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