After nine successful years with pro-manchester, Dr John Ashcroft has announced his decision to step down as chief executive this September.
Since his appointment in 2008, Ashcroft has significantly enhanced the status and achievements of the business development organisation, headquartered in Manchester’s Spinningfields. Under his leadership, the organisation now hosts over 100 events annually and has grown to nearly 300 members. However, with no successor currently confirmed, the search for a new chief executive is underway.
Ashcroft reflected on his tenure, stating, “It has been an honour, a pleasure and always great fun to be involved with pro-manchester. We have made great progress as an organisation and I am now delighted to hand over to Sam Booth and the executive team to take the organisation on to the next exciting stage of development. I would like to thank all the stakeholders in pro-manchester for the opportunity to work in this great city of ours over the last nine years.”
Deputy CEO Sam Booth, who will be taking charge in the interim, expressed gratitude and optimism for the future. “It has been a pleasure to work with John over the last nine years. I have learnt a lot from him and look forward to continuing our professional relationship as we now look ahead to the next chapter of pro-manchester. John’s drive and vision has been a fundamental part of making pro-manchester the excellent organisation that it is today. On behalf of the team, we would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
In his forthcoming plans, Ashcroft has indicated an interest in developing his own business focuses in economics, strategy, and financial market analysis. He stated, “I will now be taking the opportunity to develop my own business interests in economics, strategy and financial market analysis. This will also be a great opportunity to consider new roles and new challenges in many different markets.” He also looks forward to dedicating more time to his blogs, ‘The Saturday Economist’, ‘Sunday Strategies’, and ‘Monday Morning Markets’. “Who knows, I might even take on a new role or two, playing to my strengths and interests in economics, strategy and financial market analysis,” he added.
Ashcroft’s departure marks a significant transition for the organisation, which now looks to build on his legacy under new leadership.