Andy Burnham Sets Out Growth Vision with Life Sciences, Health Innovation and Research-led Growth at Heart

Mayor Andy Burnham has set out a plan to reindustrialise Greater Manchester, positioning the Oxford Road Corridor as a cornerstone of the city region’s future economy through life sciences, health innovation and research-led growth. Speaking at a conference on regional growth, Burnham described the Corridor as a globally significant cluster linked to Europe’s largest hospital trust and emerging assets such as the UK Biobank, arguing that devolved control of skills and investment is essential to connect people to high-value jobs and sustain long-term, inclusive growth across Greater Manchester.

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Manchester Royal Infirmary Delivers UK-First NHS Cancer Treatment

Manchester Royal Infirmary has become the first NHS hospital in the UK to deliver a newly approved personalised CAR-T therapy to a patient with aggressive blood cancer. The milestone highlights Manchester’s growing role in advancing life-changing treatments and bringing new medical innovations into frontline NHS care.

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University of Manchester announced world-first AI partnership with Microsoft

The University of Manchester has partnered with Microsoft to provide all 65,000 students and staff with Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training, making it the first university in the world to offer AI tools universally across its community. The initiative equips students with future-ready skills, enhances research and teaching, and promotes equitable, responsible use of AI.

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University of Manchester named among Europe’s top 10 universities

The University of Manchester has been ranked ninth in the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2026, placing it among the continent’s top-performing institutions for the third consecutive year. The ranking reflects strong performance across research, employability, sustainability and international collaboration, reinforcing Manchester’s position as a leading European centre for education, research and innovation.

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£2.8m Manchester-led programme tackles antimicrobial resistance in East Africa

Manchester Metropolitan University is leading a major £2.8 million NIHR-funded research programme to address antimicrobial resistance, one of the most urgent global public-health threats. Working with partners in East Africa, the project will explore how environmental, social and economic factors drive drug-resistant infections, developing nature-based wastewater solutions, improved surveillance and community-led approaches to support long-term public health and research capacity.

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Vortex Biotech Launches Cutting-Edge Laboratory at Manchester Science Park

Vortex Biotech has opened a state-of-the-art laboratory at Manchester Science Park, strengthening its leadership in liquid biopsy technologies for precision oncology. The new facility expands R&D capacity, supports clinical and commercial growth, and positions Manchester as a hub for innovative life sciences research.

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Arts inquiry calls for radical action to tackle class inequality in Greater Manchester

A new inquiry led by the University of Manchester has found that working-class creatives face entrenched barriers across the arts, including low pay, discrimination and lack of access, and is calling for bold regional action to close the class gap. Launched at the Whitworth, the report urges Greater Manchester to lead nationally through measures such as expanded creative apprenticeships, fairer employment practices and recognising class as a core inclusion issue.

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Oxford Road Corridor community recognised in King’s New Year Honours

Four professors from the University of Manchester were honoured in the King’s New Year Honours for their exceptional work in engineering, nuclear science, biosciences, and global emergency medicine. The awards highlight their impact on research, education, and humanitarian efforts both in the UK and internationally.

Over at Manchester Met, Andrew McMillan, Professor of Contemporary Writing, was also awarded an MBE for services to literature.

King Charles has also recognised three senior leaders at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in the New Year Honours, with Kathy Cowell awarded a CBE, Simon Walsh a BEM, and Jackie Hanson an MBE for their services to the NHS and health leadership.

Finally, Leader of Manchester City Council and Oxford Road Corridor board member Cllr Bev Craig was awarded the Order of the British Empire for service to local government.

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Manchester Met Expand city campus with Turing House

As part of its Road to 2030 strategy, the University is acquiring Turing House to strengthen its campus estate and support smarter, more flexible ways of working. The building will continue to house existing tenants while being integrated into the University’s long-term planning for sustainable and efficient estate management.

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Watercycle Technologies Switched On Europe’s First Commercial Direct Lithium Extraction Plant in the UK

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory celebrates spinout Watercycle Technologies commissioning Europe’s first commercial Direct Lithium Extraction plant, translating breakthrough University research into industrial impact. This milestone positions the UK and Europe as leaders in sustainable lithium production while supporting the energy transition.

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North West to benefit from multi-billion-pound rail investment

Major rail investment has been announced for Manchester, with plans setting out a long-term vision to improve capacity, connectivity and the passenger experience, and to unlock economic potential, including significant proposed upgrades at Manchester Piccadilly station and a new rail line connecting Manchester to Liverpool.

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The BRIT Awards Take Over Manchester: Live Shows at YES Ahead of the Big Night

The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester, bringing the excitement of the UK’s biggest music celebration to the city. Ahead of the main event, YES will host live shows and performances, giving fans an early taste of the action, while Band on the Wall — in partnership with the School of Digital Arts and the Royal Northern College of Music — runs workshops to inspire and upskill the next generation of Manchester’s music talent.

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Sir Howard Bernstein honoured with new route at First Street

Sir Howard Bernstein’s contribution to Manchester has been commemorated with the naming of Sir Howard Bernstein Approach, a new route through the First Street estate. The route joins other streets and spaces named after figures who helped shape the city’s cultural and civic life, recognising Sir Howard’s pivotal role in bringing together partners to deliver First Street and his lasting impact on the development of modern Manchester.

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