Manchester’s recruiters have hit back with force at claims that the city is ‘punching below its weight’ with its contributions to the national economy.
According to research produced by the Centre for Cities Manchester was found to be ‘under-performing’ compared to other key areas of the UK.
However, despite the purported ‘brain drain’, that sees talent from around the country flock to London, Manchester recruiters have claimed that the city is an important centre for the digital sector.
The Little Black Book Recruitment Agency director Gareth Wright said: “Manchester is a strong hub of digital evangelism and talent, and this is recognised throughout the UK.
“We are continually interviewing candidates from outside of Manchester (including those currently living in London), who are keen to move here and be a part of digital Manchester.
“The BBC moving here has had a positive influence on the area, as has the improved quality of creative work that is leaving Manchester – we have a number of Manchester (agency) clients who often pitch and win against a roster of London agencies, which can only be a good thing!”
The city has been branded a ‘Global Digital Hub’ after a recent study found that there are in excess of 45,000 people employed in the digital and creative industries in Greater Manchester – the largest digital and creative workforce outside London.
As well as being a centre for jobs in the digital sector figures from StartUp Britain showed that Manchester is also continuing to attract new businesses.
The data show that nearly 12,000 new start-up businesses were registered in the city in 2013 – placing Manchester in third place for new start-up registrations behind Birmingham and London.
Katie Gallagher, Business Development Director of Manchester Digital, said: “Manchester has seen its digital sector boom in the last couple of years with many smaller agencies doubling in size and larger companies growing digital teams that are hitting the hundreds in headcount.
“Talent retention is actually quite high in Manchester in comparison to other parts of the UK, somewhere in the region of 77%.”
Despite the heavy criticism the Manchester job market is continuing to go from strength to strength according to Bubble jobs.
The jobs board advertised around 4,500 jobs in the city last year – representing just over 8% of the total vacancies advertised on the site.
Director of Success Digital, Deepak Saluja also agreed and said: “While London maybe the melting pot for Digital, it has to be said that Manchester has firmly put itself on the map with the emergence of high profile brands like Boohoo.com and Miss Guided.”
Image courtesy of alexander, with thanks
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