With a growing reputation as a great international destination for Finance and Technology business, Greater Manchester is continuing to make moves in New York, following the announcement that US financial firm, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) has committed to expanding its footprint in Manchester.

Last week, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and Managing Director of Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency MIDAS, Joe Manning met with senior leaders from S&P Global Market Intelligence to discuss the plans for the company’s new office in Manchester.

Already boasting a major financial and fintech ecosystem, the investment into Greater Manchester’s thriving finance sector is set to bring high-value jobs to Greater Manchester.

The strategic move will see Market Intelligence tapping into Greater Manchester's growing pool of skilled professionals, with the new roles expected to attract top talent, further cementing Greater Manchester's position as a challenger to London for financial services and a globally significant hub for skills and talent.

Market Intelligence joins other global brands such as BNY, Vanguard and JP Morgan expanding into Greater Manchester, as the company looks to capitalise on the city-regions strengths in green finance, fintech and banking and financial services, to gather intelligence for governments, companies and individuals across the globe.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “S&P Global have exciting plans in Greater Manchester and it was great to meet their leadership to discuss these further. The company’s expansion in our city-region is another vote of confidence in our financial and professional services sector, and also underlines our emerging strengths in digital and fintech. We have all the attributes that big international employers look for – a great quality of life, a diverse talent pool and fantastic workspaces. By integrating our technical education system, through initiatives like the MBacc, we’re also ensuring these companies have the talent they need to grow in the years to come.”

Offering outstanding quality of life, and home to the UK's largest regional FinTech ecosystem, Manchester – much like S&P Global’s home in New York - is becoming well-known for its strengths in digital and cyber. The visit will highlight the opportunity for Market Intelligence to combine the power of the city-region’s technology sector with its own Essential Intelligence data expertise to enable digital disruption and innovation at scale in line with the city-region’s Digital Skills strategy.

Speaking on the decision behind adding Manchester to the company’s international portfolio of more than 70 offices across 35 countries, John Barneson, Global Head of Enterprise Solutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: “Our office in Manchester is strategically located in the heart of the city's thriving financial, professional, and business services industry. The expertise in Manchester will enable us to further position ourselves as the leading provider of data, analytics and solutions to the global capital markets. Our office is also designed to align with our commitment to discovery, integrity and partnership, meeting high standards in these areas. With a team of professionals, we are well-equipped to provide outstanding service and support to our clients.”

Topics for discussion included how city leaders will ensure Market Intelligence can gain a successful foothold in the city and how our skills and talent can support Market Intelligence to continue to serve global clients. The state-side visit will also include a tour and meetings with Market Intelligence division, responsible for solidifying the business’ reputation as a powerhouse in the international capital market.

The meeting will turn plans into action by aligning priorities around a long-term skills agenda and will shape a strategic timeline of what will happen once the construction of No.1 St Michael’s is completed later this year. Taking up residence in the Manchester’s first fully net zero carbon development, Market Intelligence will join neighbours JP Morgan, BNY Mellon and Vanguard, whose ethical ambitions are all leading the way in Manchester’s advancing Green Finance cluster.

Commenting on Market Intelligence’s move to permanent premises having previously operated from serviced offices in Manchester’s city centre, Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS said: “S&P Global Market Intelligence’s significant investment demonstrates a renewed commitment and contribution to the city-region; S&P’s Global’s values of Discovery, Integrity and Partnership enable the region to leverage its technological and innovation offer and will create jobs over the next three years with a number of these being high-value positions, to add even further to our city-regions growing talent and skills pool. Market Intelligence’s decision to expand here is a testament to our skilled workforce, excellent universities, and thriving business ecosystem.

 “MIDAS is looking forward to supporting Market Intelligence l as they grow their presence and contribute to Manchester's exciting future as a leading city-region for financial services."

Market Intelligence began life in 2022 when S&P Global completed a $140bn merger with IHS Markit, an information services provider headquartered in London.

With a £5 billion digital ecosystem, Manchester is officially the UKs Top Digital Tech City and its reputation for the radical has seen it take a leading position across established and emerging sectors to create commercial opportunities and transform the business landscape.