A WIDE ranging business conference that aims to bring residents and companies from Bolton and beyond together will take place on Thursday.

The conference, known as PROGRESS21, will be hosted at Manchester Central and will feature presentations and workshops aimed at helping attendees build on their business skills, access new training opportunities and cooperate with business leaders across different sectors.

The event, designed and produced by The Growth Company, will also feature a keynote speech by Metro Mayor Andy Burnham.

He said: "PROGRESS21 is a timely opportunity for Greater Manchester to come together and showcase our ambitions to become a world-leading city-region with a drive to become carbon net zero, innovate in the digital sector, and accelerate our economic growth as the region recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This growth must be sustainable and inclusive, which is why PROGRESS21 Business is designed to help small and medium enterprises across our region recover and grow, while PROGRESS21 Careers will help those businesses recruit talent that they can then nurture and grow."

According to organisers, the conference will focus on careers, business and Greater Manchester’s global ambition.

City region leaders hope that the conference will help to build up momentum behind Greater Manchester's recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic, which is especially vital for Bolton, the borough having been one of the hardest hit in the country by the crisis.

Outgoing leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Lees said: “PROGRESS21 is a leading example of how a city like Manchester, recently named one of the best cities in the world by Time Out magazine, is continuing to push the envelope and hasten efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

"Bringing together all the right people who have an integral role to play in helping Greater Manchester to expand its global potential and accelerate its economic growth, PROGRESS21 will be a fantastic opportunity to seize the moment and set the tone for what we can and will achieve as city-region in the years to come."

The PROGRESS21 conference will take place on September 23, to find out more go to: progress21.co.uk/.