[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Sacha Lord joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den. The Night Time Economy Czar for Greater Manchester told us about the entrepreneurial approach and his first gig at the Hacienda that launched his fascinating journey into the world of music, events and hospitality; the emergence of the Warehouse Project and Parklife; his current role within Andy Burnham’s team; the United We Stream initiative – and how he got such a cool name![/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Leaders’ Lunch with Tom Stannard: Driving Growth and Collaboration in Manchester
On Thursday 6th November 2025, Downtown in Business hosted an exclusive Leaders’ Lunch with Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, at Malmaison Manchester Piccadilly.

Cheshire & Warrington Shadow Board Launches to Drive Devolution Forward
Downtown in Business has welcomed the launch of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board — a key milestone in delivering devolution and unlocking £650m of investment across the region.

Change Makers Live Summit at Aston University Brings Together Leaders in Innovation, Policy, and Growth
On Tuesday 4th November 2025 Downtown in Business hosted the Change Makers Live Summit at Aston University , bringing together senior leaders from business, policy, and academia to explore how innovation, governance, and technology are driving the West Midlands’ economic future.

DIB strengthens partner proposition with senior appointment
Downtown in Business is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Colwell as Strategic Partnerships Director.