Industry briefing on Greater Manchester’s 2023 Trailblazer Devolution Deal

Marie Hamilton

Regional Client Director, Microsoft

Marie joined Microsoft in June 2022 to lead their work across the Greater Manchester region. Greater Manchester is one of the largest devolved regions in the UK, with a strong mayoral presence and ambitious plans for the future.

Marie works with a cross sector team to support these plans, aligning with the regional priorities, helping to transform public services, and improve outcomes for the citizens of Greater Manchester.

Marie is passionate about social mobility and improving outcomes for all people no matter what their background. In her spare time, she supports a charity which is focused on encouraging girls to consider careers in cyber.

Marie has been working with public sector organisations for almost 25 years supporting them with their digital transformation journeys. Prior to Microsoft she spent 10 years working for Avaya UK leading their Central Government Strategy and before that 15 years working with the education sector.

Marie lives in Stockport with her husband and two young children.

Joe Manning

Managing Director, MIDAS

Joe joined MIDAS as Managing Director of MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency in February 2023. Previously, he was CEO, Marketing Cheshire and Deputy CEO of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP. Joe’s other experience includes serving as Deputy Director, Science, Research and Innovation in the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and prior to that was the Deputy Director in the BEIS / MHCLG Cities and Local Growth Unit. Joe has also worked in the Cabinet Office. Before joining Government, Joe worked in a number of policy roles for think tanks and the third sector.

Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.

Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.

Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.

He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:

Phil Swan

Director of Digital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Phil leads the digital portfolio at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is responsible for leading the next chapter in Greater Manchester’s ambition to be recognised as a world-leading digital city region, with an ongoing commitment to taking an open, innovative and connective approach and ‘doing digital differently’. 

Other responsibilities include:

• Digital city-region growth, digital skills and inclusion and infrastructure
• ICT for the GMCA
• Positioning Greater Manchester as recognised centre for cyber and digital ethics, trust and security through resilience and economic growth

Phil's career includes ICT strategy and implementation work for Accenture, an MBA from Cambridge University, founding and exiting a SME, and leading the Tameside Council based public sector innovation partnership "iNetwork" over several years.