Manchesterdigital

Manchester Digital operates as a not-for-profit trade association at the center of Greater Manchester's technology and digital sector, a regional economy valued at £5 billion. Established in 2001 by a collective of individuals and companies, including broadcaster Tony Wilson and the ISP Poptel, the organization was created to foster cooperation and promote the work of its members. It functions on a membership subscription model, reinvesting any profits into programs and initiatives that support the industry.

The organization is led by Managing Director Katie Gallagher OBE, who was appointed in 2011 and has since grown the membership to over 400 businesses. These members range from large corporations and SMEs to startups and freelancers, all active in the digital and tech fields. Gallagher's background includes roles in regional development and she is also the founder of the North West Cyber Resilience Centre and chair of the UK Tech Cluster Group. The organization is governed by an elected council and a board chaired by Alison Ross of Auto Trader.

Manchester Digital delivers a range of services focused on community, skills, and industry influence. It provides platforms for networking and collaboration through a calendar of events, conferences, and roundtable discussions. A key focus is addressing the digital skills gap through initiatives like the Digital Skills Festival and a tech apprenticeship program, which creates pathways for diverse talent to enter the industry. The "Digital Her" program, for instance, has engaged over 4,600 women to encourage their participation in the tech workforce.

For its members, the association offers practical benefits such as access to a jobs board, the ability to post company news and events, and professional development opportunities. It also plays a significant role in policy, advocating on behalf of the tech community to local and national government to shape legislation and strategy. This is informed by the research and insights it regularly produces, such as the annual Digital Skills Audit and a Startup Review, which analyze regional trends, challenges, and opportunities to support strategic business decisions. These reports provide data on topics like economic outlook, AI adoption, talent demand, and the investment landscape for startups.

Keywords: tech trade body, digital economy Manchester, North West tech sector, membership organisation, skills development, tech apprenticeships, policy advocacy, digital inclusion, tech networking, industry research, startup support, Greater Manchester, tech community, professional development, diversity in tech, cyber resilience, Digital Her, skills gap, tech events, regional development