International Membership

Are you an overseas company wishing to do business in the UK?

Our International Membership has been designed for overseas companies with no legal presence in the UK and are currently scoping the UK market for their global growth.

As the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK with over 4,200 member businesses, we are well placed in helping foreign companies in doing business in the UK, and particularly within the Greater Manchester & North West region.

• Manchester is home to 105,000 businesses across all sizes and sectors offering unique opportunities for developing your business.

• Our top sectors for trade and investment include: 

  • Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing - including chemicals, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, pharmaceutical, advanced materials and more

  • Life Sciences & Healthcare

  • Business, Financial and Professional Services including Fintech

  • Digital, Tech and Creative including gaming, ecommerce and more.

  • Food and Drink

• Manchester is home to over 2,000 foreign-owned companies and over 10,000 exporters and importers

• Manchester boasts a population of 2.8 million but there are approximately 7.2million people who are within an hour commute

• Manchester is one of the fastest growing economies outside London, with Greater Manchester region registering a growth of £15.2bn between 2009 & 2014. In 2016, the UK Powerhouse report by Irwin Mitchell predicted again a £15.5bn growth by 2026

• Manchester Gross Added Value (GVA) is £75bn (as of 2019), which account for 40% of the Northwest Region

• Manchester is a great inward investment location, with attracting the most investment projects for the last three years outside London

• Manchester also expected to have faster employment growth than all other UK towns and cities from 2024-2026

• Manchester offers up to 20% lower operating costs compared to London

• Whilst London remains the retail market leader in Europe, Manchester is ranked as England's leading retail centre outside London in the latest sector research by Collier International.

Sources:  MIDAS, EY, Oxford Economics, Collier International, UK Powerhouse Report by Irwin Mitchells

Interested in being part of the largest UK Chamber of Commerce?

Foreign companies who are interested in being international members of the largest and the best chamber in the UK can access our services either free of charge or at discount prices.  Some of the services include:

• UK Market Entry Services including unverified lists of potential partners, short list of warm leads, matchmaking business programmes, launch of product/services via events or targeted marketing campaigns.  Members access preferential rates.

• Free posting of partnership requests in our International Business Directory.

• Access to Business Contacts (from law firms to freight forwarders and more),  Sector Groups (e.g. construction, manufacturing & Engineering, digital, etc) & other local stakeholders.  We work with smaller chambers of commerce in the region and trade associations, which we can make introductions to.

• Access to our expert International Trade team and network of associates to help you navigate through the practicalities of exporting to/importing from the UK, or setting up a presence in the UK and particularly Greater Manchester

• Access to our International Trade Information Hub & newsletters

• UK & International Company Credit Check Service at discounted prices - Helping you with your due diligence!

• Access to Marketing and PR support.   

• Preferential rates in our Commercial Packages  (Targeted Marketing campaigns and/or full event management services including sponsorship opportunities).

• Access to NetHub - an e-platform to connect and communicate with other chamber members

• Access to our Members' Lounge when you are in the city on business

• Access to the Chamber Space Meeting Centre as well as hot desking facilities at discount prices when visiting Manchester

• Preferential rates in our Research Services.

• Meet and network with local companies, tapping into more than 100+ Chamber events either for free or discount prices when you are in town, or from the comfort of your own office through our webinars/digital events.

Ready to join us? 

Email us at international@gmchamber.co.uk or call 0161 393 4314 to find out more information and requirements.