The Growth Company today announced that Mark Hughes MBE has stepped down as Group Chief Executive following a period of ill-health which led him to reflect on his priorities. Mark is now on the mend and focusing on his recovery.
Donna Edwards, Managing Director of Business Support and Business Finance, is covering CEO duties whilst the Growth Company makes more permanent arrangements for the appointment of a new CEO.
Mike Blackburn OBE, Chair, said:
"Mark’s leadership has been transformational. His commitment to inclusive growth, his belief in Greater Manchester’s potential, and his dedication to colleagues and partners have shaped The Growth Company into the organisation it is today. The Board would like to express its sincere thanks for his contribution and for the values he championed throughout his tenure. We wish him well in his continued recovery.”
Appointed in 2013 by Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Richard Leese at the early stages of Greater Manchester’s devolution journey, Mark was tasked with creating a new type of organisation for a new era. He brought together New Economy, Invest Manchester, Marketing Manchester and Manchester Solutions — including the embryonic Business Growth Hub — to form The Growth Company, now recognised as the UK’s leading social enterprise for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Under Mark’s leadership, GC delivered:
· A major contribution to Greater Manchester becoming one of the most inclusive and fastest-growing city regions in the UK.
· The creation and growth of the UK’s leading Business Growth Hub.
· National expansion, growing to over £120m turnover and 1,700 colleagues.
· Support for thousands of businesses to start, scale and grow, and thousands of residents to access employment, skills and wellbeing support.
· Critical crisis-response services during the pandemic and other challenging periods, including Employment Legal Advice, the GM Good Employment Charter, United for Ukraine and Made Smarter Adoption.
Mark Hughes MBE, said:
"Stepping down has been an incredibly difficult decision, but a recent period of ill-health gave me the space to reflect on my priorities. While I am now on the mend, it is important that I focus fully on my recovery and my family. Leading The Growth Company has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am proud of the organisation we have built together — from shaping the early years of devolution to supporting businesses and residents through unprecedented challenges. GC is a special organisation with a strong commitment to doing the right thing and making a positive difference. I want to thank colleagues and partners for their dedication and support over the years.”
