Ashley Rudd, co-founder of Moda PR: “Client wise, the North West shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s become a real powerhouse for brands, founders and experts, which means we're seeing an uptake in personal PR and building influence. They understand that PR isn’t just for the big corporates or London-based brands anymore, it’s about building visibility, credibility and community wherever you are.

“We’ve actually won work off the back of being from the North West. There’s something about the Northern way of doing business that people really connect with; there's no messing about, straight-talking, and refreshingly down to earth.

“In terms of community among other PRs, my experience has been that you can’t beat it. It’s in our DNA. I’ve been referred work, joined pitches and even just a cup of coffee with other PRs and agencies. There’s no gatekeeping or cloak-and-dagger; the vibe is very much community over competition.”

Francesca Kilby, associate director, real estate lead at Citypress: “When I moved from London to Manchester four years ago, I was hopeful — if not entirely confident — about finding strong networking opportunities in my new city. Although a proud northerner, I wondered whether Manchester’s professional scene would compare to the capital’s scale. It turns out I had nothing to worry about.

“The city’s PR and broader professional community is incredibly active and welcoming, with more events than I can realistically attend. Some of this stems from my work in the real estate sector — a famously sociable industry — where I’ve become an active member of the North West branch of Women in Property. It’s given me the chance to connect with inspiring women across disciplines and gain fresh perspectives beyond my day-to-day comms work (and yes, they throw a brilliant party).

“Alongside that, I’ve joined start-up and cross-industry networking groups, while still keeping ties to my London contacts. What strikes me most is the collaborative spirit here: people genuinely want to help one another succeed.

“Manchester’s PR scene thrives on that shared enthusiasm – a collective drive to build not just careers, but the city itself. And that sense of community is what makes it such a special place to work.”

Claire Quansah, founder of Quansah Consulting and host of Agency Folk Manchester leaders’ netwalks: “The Manchester PR scene has evolved so much over the past decade. The number of brilliant agencies opening, and even moving up here, is a testament to the amount of talent and opportunity here. We can definitely go toe-to-toe with London, and rightly so.

“What’s even better is the growing interest in being part of a community. From WhatsApp groups to in-person catch ups, leaders are seeing the power and comfort in sharing their struggles as well as their successes and this can only be a good thing.

“There’s still plenty of work to do to make the sector better reflect the diversity of the city, which I find frustrating. It feels like that’s one area where we are behind our London counterparts, so I’d love to see more agencies being vocal and active in this area.”

Laura Perry and Katie Eborall from Women In PR: “The PR scene in Manchester is alive, thriving, and brimming with energy. There’s a palpable buzz in the air and a sense that something powerful is happening outside of London. The creativity, ambition, and innovation found here is nothing short of phenomenal. 

"At our recent Women in PR in Manchester, we were struck by how many attendees had begun their careers in London before relocating to Manchester or other regional cities. What they’ve discovered is inspiring: strong, supportive communities, brands, agencies, industry specialists with a real appetite for fresh ideas, and a wealth of opportunity waiting to be tapped.

"It’s proof that whilst there is amazing work from our beloved capital, the best, most authentic, diverse, and impactful work doesn’t have to come from within the M25. The talent is here, standing proudly in Manchester and beyond.

"We know that there is plenty of talent that’s homegrown in Manchester and we don’t talk enough about how people can build a successful, exciting and thriving career from cities like Manchester. It’s easy to forget what an abundance of agencies there are here; it’s not as small as many might think. 

"This shift is more than geographical; it’s cultural. By expanding our focus beyond the capital, we open doors for people from all backgrounds and create a more equal, accessible industry."

Nigel Sarbutts, founder of The PR Cavalry: “It used to be that there was always someone puffing their chest out, promising to shake up the Manchester scene. They would later appear in ‘where are they now’ articles.

“The market feels static. No big acquisitions or crashes, and nobody entering the market with a really distinctive proposition. That’s not to say the work being done by agencies is beige, but at a corporate level it’s steady as she goes — which probably reflects the pressure on margins.

“The city’s digital marketing sector by contrast is very different in terms of the size of employer and demand for skills. The question is, who in the PR market will make a compelling bridge to that market now that mainstream SEO, which has always been a contested space between PR and digital marketing, starts to falter?

“Is there a Manchester PR operation with the appetite and the funding to make a big investment?”

Gemma Eccleston, Managing Director of Hendrix Rose PR: "The PR scene in Manchester is actually really collaborative, and that’s one of the things that makes it so special. You might assume that, with such a saturated and competitive market, agencies would keep to themselves, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Mancunians are naturally friendly and down-to-earth, and that spirit runs right through the industry here.

“When I set out on my own, I was genuinely surprised and touched by how many agency leaders reached out offering advice, sharing contacts, even passing leads my way. There’s a real sense of community. I’m part of a WhatsApp group for agency leaders where we swap tips, ask questions, and help each other navigate challenges, which is an incredible support network.

“Beyond that, Manchester’s PR community is full of opportunities to connect and grow. There are brilliant networking events, training sessions, and industry meet-ups happening all the time and, of course, plenty of chances to grab a drink and catch up with familiar faces.

“I think it’s that mix of collaboration, energy, and friendliness that makes Manchester’s PR scene so unique and a real reflection of the city itself.”

Rick Guttridge, CEO at Smoking Gun: "Where I think the Manchester scene excels is in collaboration. Both within the PR industry but also crucially within the wider marketing communications and media world.

"From long standing trade bodies such as the MPA (Manchester Publicity Association) whose roots were in media buying but now represent the wider sector, great interaction and partnerships derive. Similarly there’s huge value from WhatsApp groups such as the Agency Leaders Network, hosted by forward thinking recruiters, Forward Role. In sector, Smoking Gun, Intelligent Conversation and PR Agency One have worked together before to great effect to share best practice and educate around the topic of PR measurement. Manchester also over indexes in global AMEC effectiveness awards wins per capita.

"We also work closely with Roland Dransfield and Refresh to help inspire a wider pool of talent into the sector via the annual Native Creative conference. Our own PR and Comms apprenticeship is helping to bring a more diverse selection of talent into the industry.

"Local Universities are also key collaborators with the sector from UA92 to MMU and Salford University, offering research capabilities and academic rigour to the sector’s creative capacity. General national business confidence aside, the Manchester PR scene continues to innovate and thrive."