Meet the new global ambassadors chosen to represent Manchester on the world stage

Six local high-profile individuals have been chosen by Marketing Manchester’s Ambassador Programme to represent Manchester on the world stage.

The ‘MBassadors’ are ex-Manchester United star turned property developer Gary Neville; former Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein; Professor Jennifer Watling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International at Manchester Metropolitan University; the Hallé’s music director Sir Mark Elder CBE; Dr Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of suffragette leader Emmeline and international women’s rights activist; and illustrator Stanley Chow.

They join such illustrious names as Professor Brian Cox, Asha Bhosle and Josh Weinstein and will represent Manchester and the region on the international stage to a global audience, using their wider and international connections and industry links to speak at public events and make media appearances.

The Global Ambassador Programme aims to develop the region’s economy, secure investment, stimulate local pride and promote positive perceptions of Manchester.

“These individuals support our work to raise the profile of the city region and attract inward investment to boost the local economy,” says Sheona Southern, managing director of Marketing Manchester.

“Global Ambassadors are Manchester voices, business leaders and academics who use their influence and connections to secure conferences, make business introductions, feature in the media and support growth in Manchester.

“MBassadors represent the city’s diversity and play an important role in generating a positive image for Greater Manchester across the world.

“Stanley Chow for example, recently featured in a two-minute short film on BBC World, which will be shown more than 250 times across North America, this will give a reputational boost to the region and reaches a key tourism market in the US.”