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Manchester; The Next Level | Transport Series Pt 1 – Wed 2nd Sep 2026
September 2 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
£20.00 – £275.00
Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Panel Discussion, Networking, Full Buffet Lunch & Beverages (Included in Ticket)
Ticket: £20.00 + VAT
Digital Ticket: £250.00 + VAT (Includes your Brand online in our Social Media Posts to the Next Level Community across the UK as well as in the Email Campaigns to all Guests after the event.)
All available on a first booking basis, with limited tickets in each category.
Exhibitor (Inc 3 x Tickets): £375.00 + VAT
After a successful event last September, we’re excited to announce our first event as part of the Manchester; The Next Level Events but this time with a 3 Part Transport Series for 2026. We host Premium Networking and Social Events across the UK and in addition, we have both the Special Events Series and now this latest 3 Part Transport Series, designed to truly be next level whilst bringing even more of our Community together.
This Series will be focussed on engaging the Business Community to share more of the ‘Positive Business Updates’ happening in Manchester, Greater Manchester and the wider North Region when it comes to how we commute, connect and collaborate to drive growth across the City Region. Join us in the Iris Lounge at Cloud 23 in the The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, by IHG with awesome views of Manchester too.
Sponsored by TransPennine Express, we are hosting this Panel Discussion with some Business Leaders across the Transport and Memberships Sectors in Manchester, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester and the Bee Network.
We will then have a delicious Buffet Lunch available for all to ensure you fuel that appetite after hearing more on what’s happening in and for Manchester in the coming months and years ahead.
Most importantly, we will have Business Professionals from a wide range of Sectors across the Next Level Community, giving everyone a chance to meet new people and connect during the networking sessions throughout the event.
As a Networking Organisation that operates across the UK, we have held events in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London for Business Owners and Leaders, with 4 Sector Groups now also available.
Our Mission:
To better connect Business Owners and Leaders together, in a relaxed environment, and to build meaningful relationships that support business growth across Manchester and the North West Region.
Who is going?
We’re pleased to host our Lunch Networking Event in Manchester.
Dress Code: Smart Casual (Be Comfortable)
Business Professionals | Next Level Special Events are:
- Open to All Roles and Sectors.
- Relaxed Networking Events for Business Professionals to meet new people from different backgrounds and build meaningful relationships.
- Informative with Guest Speakers across a range of Sectors
- Great to introduce Business Professionals that are new to Networking as well as those more experienced and want something less formal.
- CEO’s and MD’s
- Director and Board Level Execs
- Sole Traders and Freelance Professionals
- Heads of Department and Senior Management
- Finance, Insurance and Legal Professionals
- Employees and Associates
Connect – It’s great to meet new people and you will have the opportunity to connect with those in attendance before, during and after.
How will you benefit from participating?
As part of our event, you will have the following included by attending the event:
- Tea/ Coffee and Juices with Pastries
- Pure networking opportunities with like-minded Business Owners, Leaders and Professionals from across Greater Manchester.
- Hear from our Panellists, Business Leaders from across Rail, the Business Community and Transport for Greater Manchester.
- Enjoy a Buffet Lunch from the Team behind the Podium Restaurant.
- Inclusion in Social Media posts after the event to build your connections further.
- Inclusion in an Exclusive LinkedIn Group. This will ensure you can connect with others in the Next Level Community, not just those who attend this particular event.
In terms of timings for the event, we will be looking to host the event in the following format:
11.00am – 11.30am | Arrival Drinks and Networking (Tea/Coffee/Juices)
11.45am – 12.00pm | Welcome and Presentation
12.00pm – 12.45pm | Panel Discussion
12.45pm – 1.00pm | Q&A and thanks to our Sponsors
1.00pm – 1.45pm | Buffet Lunch to be served and more Networking
2.00pm | Depart
Please contact us should you have any questions or would like to enquire about Sponsorship for this or any of our events: 0161 726 5845 | info@nextlevelconsultancy.co.uk
Tickets are limited and will be on sale on a first come, first served basis until the Registration Deadline on Tuesday 1st September | 11.00am
We look forward to connecting with you…
Your Host
Danny Williams | Managing Director of Next Level Consultancy Limited and Next Level Marketing Agency Ltd.
Hi, I am Danny Williams, Founder of Next Level Networking UK and I will be hosting this event.
Please contact me should you have any questions or would like to enquire about Sponsorship for this or any of our events. In the meantime, feel free to connect with me on Social Media and I look forward to sharing a few drinks with you.
Main Event Sponsor
TransPennine Express | We’re pleased to announce that TransPennine Express are kindly sponsoring this event.
TransPennine Express is a rail operator that provides a premium service for customers across the North and into Scotland.
Our Vision is: we’re going places, and we’re raising the bar in rail travel, putting our customers first and helping build better infrastructure for the future of the regions we connect.
We have a vital role in connecting the North to make it greater than it has ever been, bringing people, businesses and cities close together.
You can follow them on their LinkedIn Page below.
The Venue
The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, by IHG | 303 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
It’s an exciting time for us at Manchester’s most iconic hotel…and we say hello to IHG Hotels & Resorts as The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, By IHG.
Our name has changed, but this is so much more than a new logo. It marks the beginning of a new chapter to become the InterContinental Manchester. During this entire journey, we’ll all be here in person to answer any questions, and of course, to make sure you receive the same exceptional levels of service you have come to expect.
Guests will also now benefit from access to @ihgonerewards – an exciting loyalty program which rewards you, from everyday travel to luxury escapes. And if you’re not already…join us on this journey on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for the most up to date news.
Our Panellists:
Lucy Mulligan | Executive Director of Marketing at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Lucy Mulligan is Executive Director of Marketing at Greater Manchester Chamber, where she leads the marketing and communications strategy to raise the Chamber’s profile and create meaningful opportunities for businesses to connect, collaborate and grow.
With 15 years in industry, Lucy brings people and organisations together to focus on facilitating the right connections, creating opportunities and helping businesses across Greater Manchester thrive.
Our Panellists:
Chris Jackson FCIRO | Managing Director at TransPennine Express
Chris joined the railway industry in 2001, working in a number of front-line operational roles before progressing to middle and senior leadership positions in Network Rail, Train Operating Companies and Light Rail.
He has experience in project and major flagship station management along with extensive senior operational leadership experience of traincrew, network and electrical control centres. As Regional Director for the Northwest at Northern for 5 years, Chris led a team of over 2400 people responsible for customer experience, safety, traincrew leadership, operational strategy and stakeholder relationships up to the most senior levels.
During this time under his leadership, the Region was transformed in terms of new trains introduction, trade union relations, stakeholder engagement, December 23 timetable introduction and customer sentiment.
His most recent role is Managing Director of TransPennine Trains, which commenced in May 2023.
Our Panellists:
Simon Elliott | Network Director for Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
Simon Elliott is Network Director for Rail at TfGM, where he leads the development, performance and integration of Greater Manchester’s rail network as part of the Bee Network vision. He is responsible for rail strategy, major infrastructure programmes, operational performance, and the integration of local rail services into a seamless multimodal public transport system.
With extensive experience across rail sector, Simon works with government, industry and regional partners to shape the future of rail in Greater Manchester and support wider transport reform. He leads the delivery of major rail investment programmes, including new stations, accessibility enhancements and network improvement schemes, while also representing Greater Manchester’s interests in national discussions on rail reform and devolution.
Simon has played a key role in the development of the Bee Network Rail Integration programme, helping to bring rail closer to customers and communities through a more joined-up, customer-focused public transport system. His work focuses on improving passenger experience, driving economic growth, supporting sustainable travel and ensuring rail plays a central role in the region’s future prosperity.
A passionate advocate for collaboration and innovation, Simon regularly engages with senior leaders across the rail industry, local authorities and government to deliver practical improvements for passengers and develop the next generation of integrated transport services.
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Partnerships
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