IDsquared

Although IDsquared works across the UK to place Non-Executive Directors and Chairmen, Manchester is something of a spiritual home.  Simon Webber, IDsquared’s founder and Managing Director, grew up in the North West and currently lives in Cheshire.  (Rather flatteringly) he was recently interviewed as one of ten “local experts” on early stage company support and funding in Manchester. 

“Manchester is the place where people do things… ‘Don’t talk about what you are going to do, do it.’ That is the Manchester habit.”
Judge Parry, 1912.

Our very first client was a Manchester-based start-up company into which we placed an experienced Chairman and today, more than 70% of IDsquared’s Non-Executive Directors are interested in working in the city.  For those who don’t know it, Manchester is an inspiringly vibrant city with a close knit but welcoming professional community and an excellent range of support services for the smaller, high growth business. 

Since the Victoria (nobody ever called it that!) University of Manchester and UMIST merged in 2004, Manchester has had the biggest University in the UK and its technology transfer units (UMIP and UMIC) are active and well respected.  Manchester is equipped with three entrepreneurial business schools and a seeming metropolis of small business incubators, science parks and high growth centres (MSP and OCP are prime examples).  The venture capital, private equity, corporate finance and professional community is also impressive with a choice of local, regional and national firms boasting excellent experience and often an entrepreneurial approach.  Even our Regional Development Agency (the NWDA) and the City Council (not always the most entrepreneurial of of organisations!) fund impressive initiatives to support smaller business and high growth companies around the city.

All of this produces well-informed, well-resourced, small, high growth businesses, many of which require the longer-term support and guidance that only a Non-Executive Director or Chairman can offer.

I’ll admit to bias, being an ellective Mancunian, but I honestly don’t believe that the UK boasts another city to rival Manchester professionally, socially or culturally (check out the current Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba exhibition at Manchester City Art Gallery).  

I certainly don’t think that there is a better place be based, either as a Non-Executive Director or as a high growth business.  If you are either, do please get in touch to share your views - simon@idsquared.net.