Greater Manchester Chamber Restructures Through Administration

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1794 and long regarded as one of the UK’s most influential regional business bodies, has been restructured through administration after years of mounting financial pressure.

On 17 September 2025, Lindsey Cooper and Ed Connell of Armstrong Watson were appointed joint administrators. Immediately on appointment, they transferred the Chamber’s operations and 37 employees into Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce 2025 Ltd, a new company incorporated in July at the Chamber’s Deansgate headquarters.

“This deal has preserved jobs and ensured continuity of the vital services carried out by the Chamber in supporting the Greater Manchester business community,” Cooper said in announcing the appointment. The Chamber described the transaction as providing “a seamless transition that delivers continuity of membership and business services” despite a volatile economic climate.

The restructuring was driven by sustained operating losses, a heavy pension deficit, and an inability to rebuild revenues to pre-pandemic levels. Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023 reported turnover of £3.16m, still 28% below pre-Covid benchmarks, with an operating loss of £547k and net liabilities of £2.65m once pension obligations were recognised. Membership income, flat at about £1.3m, slipped alongside a small decline in member numbers, while average subscription values fell. Events and conferencing, once expected to be a growth driver through the “Chamber Space” facility, continued to underperform and were permanently closed in August.

Directors cited Brexit, inflation and higher energy costs, and the slow return of in-person events as compounding pressures on income. To stabilise cash flow, the Chamber relied on a £250k loan from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, but auditors flagged a “material uncertainty” over the Chamber’s ability to continue as a going concern without structural change.

Leadership will also shift as part of the reset. Chief executive Clive Memmott, in post since 2010, will step down after a transition period, with senior executives Sarah Blatch (finance), Chris Fletcher (policy), and Lucy Mulligan (marketing) managing the organisation on an interim basis while a new model is developed.

The administrators will now wind down the old Chamber entity, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (company no. 05245944), including dealing with creditor claims. The newly incorporated Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce 2025 Ltd will carry forward the Chamber’s core functions without the liabilities that triggered its collapse.