The Northern Powerhouse Partnership’s Innovation for Impact report makes a compelling case: with the right conditions, the North could unlock up to £206 billion in additional GVA over the next decade. While the report takes a pan-Northern view, the implications for Greater Manchester are particularly compelling — and full of opportunity. 

At the heart of this opportunity is innovation. Not just the invention of new technologies, but the ability to embed innovation across the economy — from manufacturing and health to digital and creative industries. This is where Greater Manchester can lead, and where GM Business Growth Hub plays a vital role in enabling that leadership. 

Greater Manchester: A Region Built on Innovation 

Greater Manchester has long been a centre of industrial ingenuity. Today, it is home to world-class universities, thriving tech clusters, and a growing ecosystem of innovative businesses. But as the NPP report highlights, the real challenge isn’t invention — it’s diffusion. 

That’s where the GM Business Growth Hub’s Innovation team makes a difference. By working directly with businesses to adopt new technologies, improve processes, and build innovation capacity, the team helps turn potential into performance. Whether it’s through one-to-one support, collaborative projects, or sector-specific programmes, we help businesses unlock the value of innovation. 

The Diffusion Challenge: Turning Innovation into Impact 

The report identifies a key barrier to regional productivity: absorptive capacity — a business’s ability to take on and apply innovation. While Greater Manchester performs well in areas like digital infrastructure and professional services, many SMEs still face challenges in adopting innovation at scale. 

This is where targeted support is essential. Through programmes like Made Smarter, our Innovation team helps businesses overcome barriers to adoption — from skills gaps to process redesign — and unlock new growth. We also offer tailored innovation diagnostics, R&D support, and access to networks that accelerate commercialisation. 

Innovation as Infrastructure: Building the Conditions for Growth 

While national conversations often focus on funding, Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem shows that support goes beyond investment. What’s needed is a focus on: 

These are the building blocks of a resilient, high-performing economy — and the Innovation team at GM Business Growth Hub is helping to lay them. 

A Pan-Regional Role with Local Impact 

Greater Manchester’s innovation strengths don’t exist in isolation. The region is uniquely positioned to act as a connector across the North, linking clusters, sharing best practice, and demonstrating what works. 

The Hub’s work with SMEs, universities, and civic partners shows how place-based innovation support can drive inclusive growth — not just in high-tech sectors, but across the foundational economy. Our approach is collaborative, practical, and rooted in the needs of local businesses. 

Conclusion: Innovation as a Shared Mission 

Innovation is more than a buzzword — it’s a strategy for resilience, productivity, and inclusive growth. For Greater Manchester, the challenge now is to scale what works, deepen collaboration, and ensure that innovation reaches every corner of the economy. 

The GM Business Growth Hub’s Innovation team is proud to be part of that mission — helping businesses overcome barriers, commercialise their innovations, and build a future-ready economy. 

👉 Learn more about our innovation support: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/support/innovation 

📞 Or call us on 0161 359 3050 to speak with one of our innovation specialists.