VIDEO | Ireland and Manchester deliver good growth through strategic collaboration

Irish Government minister Niamh Smyth told a crowd of property professionals that her country and the Northern city are united in a mission to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth – a mission they will only accomplish through collaboration and innovation.

Smyth was visiting Manchester last week as part of a trade mission organised by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government’s trade and innovation agency.

The built environment is often where Irish companies and Manchester projects come together, whether that is through main contractor Sisk’s ongoing delivery of the £300m Etihad Stadium expansion or low-carbon façade specialist Techrete’s work on Viridius Living’s 3,300-bed addition to University of Manchester’s Fallowfield campus.

The UK is Ireland’s largest and most strategically important market for the majority of Irish busineses, and their confidence in the North is clear. One in five businesses are planning to create jobs in the North of England this year and 38% of those surveyed by Enterprise Ireland are aiming to invest more in the region.

Addressing the audience at Manchester Hall, Smyth referred to the relationship between Ireland and Manchester as a partnership.

“Ultimately this is about partnership that enables delivering, partnership that drives innovation, and partnership that ensures the growth delivered over the next decade is sustainable, inclusive, and impactful,” she said.

Irish Government minister Niamh Smyth spoke with property professionals in Manchester last week at an event organised by Enterprise Ireland. Credit: via Enterprise Ireland

Good growth

Smyth used her welcome address to highlight the similarities between Manchester and Ireland.

“We have a shared ambition to drive growth that works for communities, for families, and for further generations both here in Manchester and across Ireland,” Smyth said.

“I and the government are fully supporting the deepening collaboration between Manchester and Ireland – two places with longstanding historical, cultural, and economic ties – and ensuring that partnerships and connections to evolve in ways that deliver shared prosperity for everyone.”

She pointed to challenges both communities face: viability, skills shortages, insufficient affordable housing supply.

“Addressing these challenges will require innovation and a willingness to learn from one another,” she said.

Irish companies have a role to play.

“They bring world-class expertise, a strong track record of delivery, and a focus on innovation and low-carbon solutions, all while contributing millions to local investment and social value,” Smyth said.

The importance of social value was emphasized by Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration Cllr Gavin White, who delivered the day’s keynote address.

He pointed to Thomas Davies, a man who went from being on benefits to being employed thanks to the creation of the Collyhurst Construction Skills Centre – a core part of the social value strategy behind the work the city council is doing with FEC on the 15,000-home Victoria North masterplan.

Davies went from receiving £630 a month, to making £1,130 a week as a construction banksman. Thanks to a job with John Sisk & Son on the Etihad Campus project, Davies has been able to take his kids on holiday.

“That’s the impact of good growth,” White said. “It’s not just about big numbers and big skyscrapers; however welcome they are. It’s about jobs and opportunities for our residents in Manchester.”

There will be plenty of work going into the next decade, based on the city council’s plans. In addition to Victoria North, White put a spotlight on the £1bn MIX Manchester innovation campus, the transformation of North Manchester General Hospital, and Government Property Agency’s Manchester Digital Campus.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in investment over the last 30 years,” White said. “We’re certainly not done yet. There’s plenty more to do.”

Cllr Gavin White from Manchester City Council outlined the local authority’s plans for the next decade. Credit: via Enterprise Ireland

Already at work

Irish companies are already heavily involved in supporting the delivery of key projects in Greater Manchester. They have pinpointed Manchester as a key area of growth thanks to the thriving build-to-rent and purpose-built student accommodation markets.

O’REILLY PRECAST is long-established in Greater Manchester and has ambitions to grow its market base and to recruit locally over the next five years.

“The sheer level of inquiries and tenders we’ve received in Manchester over the last five years – it has been phenomenal,” said Shane Gilligan, head of UK sales for the company.

“We’ve put a real focus on Manchester – we’re live on five or six sites at the moment, and with the growth plans for the region, we only see that continuing in the future,” he said.

The company is involved in Viridius Living’s Fallowfield project, which will utilise MMC through precast concrete to deliver sustainable projects in a cost-effective way.

Leaning into innovation, home life safety specialist AICO is working with housing associations to help monitor the risk damp and mould, helping spot potential problems early. The company also specializes in smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms.

Dave Richmond, national account manager with AICO, said that the increasing appetite for residential investment in Manchester – as evidenced by the 15,000-home push in Victoria North – proved it was a growing market for AICO.

“Every property should have best in class fire and carbon monoxide detection available,” he pointed out.

“As market leaders, our fire and CO detection and Connected Home solution should be at the heart of every home.”

Techrete has been active in the city for decades – its work includes One and Two St Peter’s Square, Manchester Goods Yard, and, more recently, HBD’s Island on John Dalton Street.

Manchester’s appeal comes from the people, according to Techrete pre-construction manager for Ireland and UK North Darren Brown. Like in Ireland, the people he works with are focussed on innovating, working together, and ultimately delivering the best possible outcome for the project. Egos are left at the door, he said, and the focus is on the work.

“It’s a city that gets things done,” he said.

John Sisk & Son strategy director Kevin Coyle echoed those remarks.

“Manchester’s plan, the ambition and the vision that Manchester has, coupled with the confidence we have in its track record of delivering, gives us all the confidence we need to continue investing in this city,” he said.

He also spoke about Sisk’s approach to social value and how it aligns with the city council’s ambitions.

“Everybody is generally looking to do the right thing and ensure that when we deliver a project, we’re not just leaving an asset behind us, but we’re leaving a lasting positive impact on the community. We want to leave that community in a better place than the day we arrived,” he said.

“That’s not just a Sisk philosophy, it’s increasingly an industry-wide responsibility,” Coyle continued, highlighting the role of the wider supply chain in delivering meaningful social outcomes.

The event featured a panel discussion between Techrete’s Darren Brown, Sisk’s Kevin Coyle, O’REILLY PRECAST’s Shane Gilligan, and AICO’s Dave Richmond. Credit: via Enterprise Ireland

Coyle also stressed Sisk’s commitment to partnership and early engagement.

“Ideally, we don’t want to be seen as just your traditional contractor that arrives once a project hits construction stage.

“We see real value in getting involved early doors, working alongside our clients through the early design stages, planning and pre-construction stages, playing a key role shaping and de-risking schemes,” he said.

“That early involvement allows us to bring our delivery expertise to the table from day one, helping projects move forward with greater certainty and often reach site much sooner.

“Ultimately, we want to be recognised not just as a general contractor, but as a trusted delivery partner.”

For Enterprise Ireland, the event at Manchester Hall was a success for not only bringing together the built environment in Manchester and Ireland but for also highlighting the many ways the two can work together.

Gavin Gilmour, market advisor for Enterprise Ireland, remarked: “Irish companies have been embedded in Greater Manchester’s transformation for many years, and this has been an excellent opportunity to showcase the depth of capability they bring in delivering high-quality, complex and successful projects.

“Just as importantly, it has highlighted the tangible social value these companies are helping to create across the region,” he said.

Gilmour also elaborated on why Manchester was a natural trade partner for Ireland.

“Manchester’s ambition and sustained growth make it a strategically vital market for Irish construction and supply chain businesses,” he said.

“Irish firms have built a strong reputation here, not only for their expertise and innovation, but for their collaborative approach and long-term commitment to the places in which they operate.”

Gilmour continued: “It’s particularly encouraging to see the continued investment in the region through new partnerships, office openings and expansion plans. This reflects a genuine commitment to Manchester’s future – supporting local jobs, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to thriving communities.

“Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these companies as they deepen their presence in the North West, and we look forward to further strengthening these relationships as we play a role in supporting Manchester’s next phase of growth.”

Learn more about how Irish companies can shape Manchester and the North of England by visiting Ireland. Trusted by the world | Global | Enterprise Ireland and following Enterprise Ireland on LinkedIn.

Want to get involved? Contact Gilmour at [email protected].