North west Fund is latest conference sponsors

THE North West Fund is the latest big name to sign up as premium sponsor of pro.manchester’s Business and Professional Services Conference.

The £185million Fund, which was launched to support entrepreneurs earlier this month, is expected to deliver around £700 million to the region through investments in SMEs.

The Fund chief executive Andy Leach believes the Fund – which is dividing monies between venture capital, development capital and a loan fund as well as pledges to digital and creative, energy and environmental and biomedical – will be of long-term benefit to the region.

The North West Fund joins TheCityUK, Bridging Finance and Winning Pitch as premium sponsors of the Conference, which takes place next month.

Speaking of his commitment to the Conference – which offers delegates the chance to hear from influential players through keynote speeches, panel debates and interactive forums – Andy Leach said: “This event coincides with the launch of the new North West Fund and will provide an excellent opportunity to inform the region about the new fund’s range of finance options for SME’s at a critical time for the North West economy.”
pro.manchester's chief executive John Ashcroft said having the Fund on board is a great asset. He added: “As the Conference draws nearer, we are delighted to welcome a new sponsor.

“The Fund is set to create a legacy for its work helping entrepreneurs in the North West and we are proud to be setting a legacy for hosting the UK’s inaugural Business and Professional Services Conference.”

This latest sponsorship comes fresh off the back of the announcement that the pro.manchester Banking Group – which includes Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS NatWest, together with the Co-operative Bank, Santander, Yorkshire Bank and Handelsbanken – is backing the Conference in a joint sponsorship deal.

The Conference has been organised in conjunction with MIDAS, Marketing Manchester, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, RMS and the Commission for the New Economy.

It will be held at The Point conference centre at Lancashire County Cricket Club on March 17.

Visit www.bpsconference.co.uk for further details or call Nicola Mortimer at pro.manchester on 0161 817 3481.