Manchester: growth, opportunity, and AAB’s role in the city’s future

Manchester has been undergoing significant changes for a number of years, and it now seems like the rest of the UK is catching on, with Manchesterism firmly in the spotlight. Looking at the city’s business community, it’s full of exciting businesses of all shapes and sizes, and the professional services sector has been booming in the city to meet the demands of these growing businesses.

Having launched our new office in Manchester in July 2026, I wanted to reflect on the opportunity here and what we’re looking to do.

Manchester’s unstoppable momentum

The UK’s fastest growing city region, a new branch of central government opening and more cranes than you can count – it doesn’t take long to realise just how much is happening in Manchester.

For the companies fueling this impressive growth, Manchester hosts a wealth of opportunity. It has world-leading education and research institutions, well connected public transport, a thriving central hub and the ability to draw in both new startups and international powerhouses. It’s these conditions, matched with the ambition of founders and owner-managers in the city, that offers the biggest opportunity.

In turn, Manchester’s professional services community has grown alongside these businesses. Manchester has become a hub for advisers, lawyers and accountants who can support businesses as they grow and enter new markets.

Partnering with Manchester’s businesses

It’s precisely this opportunity that led us to open our doors in Manchester. At AAB, we’ve built our offering around supporting businesses throughout their journey, from SMEs through to mid-market businesses who are growing both nationally and internationally.

For Manchester businesses looking to make the most of the renewed focus on the city, they need a partner that can be with them for the whole journey. They need advisers who can support them with every aspect of their growth, from getting the basics right to ensuring each new market entry is compliant, to potentially acquiring new businesses when the time is right to grow further afield. This is exactly where we can help, and want to build a long-term commitment to businesses here in Manchester and the wider North West

A mark on the city’s economy and its talent

Our impact doesn’t just extend to the businesses we directly support. As a business ourselves, we want to make our own mark on Manchester and ensure we’re building a long-term commitment to the people that make this city so special.

Manchester is home to an incredible pool of talent, both experienced people and those looking to start their career. That’s why we’re looking to grow to around 200 people in the next few years, creating a space for people to develop and build fulfilling careers that support businesses and the wider regional economy.

It’s something we really pride ourselves on at AAB. Despite growing at such a fast rate, we’ve always maintained a culture where we support one another, work together and uplift each other. Manchester is no different, and we want to build a practice here that fuels growth across the city region.

Commenting on the growth of Manchester and the importance of supporting the regional economy, Joe Manning, Managing Director of Invest Manchester said: “The confidence businesses like AAB are showing in Manchester reflects the momentum we continue to see across the city-region. Manchester offers ambitious companies access to talent and a collaborative business community. Their planned investment in both people and business will support the continued growth across Greater Manchester”