Taoiseach Micheál Martin will visit Manchester on Thursday to mark the strengthening of Irish and UK business relations in the north of England.
The Enterprise Ireland-led trade visit precedes Martin’s participation in the British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool on Friday (11 November).
The Taoiseach will meet with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram. Enterprise Ireland has built strong relations with both mayors since opening its Manchester officer in 2019.
Martin will meet with nine Irish companies active in the region, including John Sisk & Son, PM Group, KPC International, ESB, TTM Healthcare Solutions, CRS Refrigeration, Spectrum Life, Crest Solutions and Future Ticketing.
He will also meet senior healthcare and life sciences representatives from the north of England following a knowledge-sharing exchange hosted by Enterprise Ireland.
In Association with
Cork pharmaceutical company KPC International has announced the establishment of a new office in Manchester to serve the manufacturing industry in the north of England to coincide with the visit. KPC now has six global offices.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Martin said: “The UK is our long-standing trading partner and the Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is committed to consolidating and growing our exports to the UK market.
“The north of England is a dynamic region of the UK, with major infrastructure projects, and significant investment happening at a local level. We have strengthened our presence in the region, with the establishment of Enterprise Ireland’s Manchester office in 2019 and the presence of a new consular general to the region.”
Exports by Enterprise Ireland clients to the UK reached their highest levels in 2021, growing by 15% to €8.4bn and account for 31% of total exports. Over 1,600 Enterprise Ireland clients export to the UK, including 112 first time exporters to the market.
The UK market continues to be a strategically important market for Irish exporters, with significant opportunities, helping UK organisations meet their sustainability goals and digitalise their businesses as well as in established industries such as infrastructure, aerospace, healthcare, logistics, financial services and retail.
Leading the trade visit for Enterprise Ireland, Kevin Sherry, executive director of Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland’s Manchester office has played an important role in further increasing exports and providing support to clients to expand their reach in the Midlands and Northern UK region.
“Over 100 clients now have presences in the region and are realising considerable business opportunities, particularly in areas including construction, manufacturing and local authority spending.
“Today’s visit will further demonstrate our commitment to the region, with Irish companies increasingly establishing new presences, creating high value jobs and bringing innovation solutions to their UK partners.”
Photo: Micheal Martin (Pic: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
