Greater Manchester established a GM-Japan Steering Group in 2021 to provide strategic direction to the bilateral relationships between GM and Japan. Chaired by the Honorary Consul of Japan in Manchester, Mrs Jo Ahmed, the Group brings together partners and institutions in Greater Manchester that are already having strong connections with Japan. 

The Greater Manchester-Japan Steering Group consists of: 

– Jo Ahmed, Honorary Consul for Japan in Manchester, Deloitte
– Mike Blyth, British Consul General, Osaka, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
– Mark Atherton, Director of Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
– Maria Gonzalez, Principal, International Relations, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
– Nicole Strickland, Principal for International Trade and Investment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
– Louise Latham, Director of Communications, Marketing Manchester
– David Hilton, Business Development Director, MIDAS
– Lisa Turner, Principal Policy Officer, Manchester City Council

The Secretariat Function is provided by the GMCA.

The Greater Manchester-Japan Advisory Board consists of: 

– Susana Córdoba, Head of International Trade, GM Chamber of Commerce
– Rachel McCrystal, Connect with Japan
– Amer Gaffar, Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University
– Andy Hulme, Head of Innovation and Growth, North West Business Leadership Team
– Rhys Whalley, Manchester Airport Group
– Dr Clara Cheung, Reader, Faculty Head of Internationalisation and Group Lead of Engineering Management, University of Manchester