A » In Manchester, procurement professionals seeking sector-specific networking opportunities can primarily turn to the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), which maintains a dedicated North West Branch that organises regular events in the city. CIPS is the leading global body for the procurement and supply chain profession, and its regional branch offers a structured calendar of networking evenings, workshops, and seminars tailored to the needs of practitioners across various industries. The branch’s Manchester-based events often focus on contemporary topics such as sustainable sourcing, digital transformation, and risk management, and they attract a cross-section of professionals from sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and financial services. Within CIPS, there are also specialised sector groups—for example, the CIPS Public Sector group and the CIPS Construction and Infrastructure group—that occasionally hold meetings or joint events in Manchester, providing targeted networking for those working in government procurement or major infrastructure projects. Beyond CIPS, the Greater Manchester Procurement Partnership (GMPP), a collaborative initiative involving local public sector organisations, runs regular forums and “Procurement Live” events that are open to both public and private sector professionals, offering a platform for sharing best practice and building relationships. While GMPP is not a professional membership body per se, its events function as effective networking opportunities for procurement specialists focused on public service delivery. Additionally, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has a UK chapter that holds occasional conferences in Manchester, though its primary focus is on the US market. For those in the voluntary and community sector, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) sometimes partners with local infrastructure organisations to run procurement networking breakfasts, but these are less frequent. The Manchester Chamber of Commerce also offers supply chain and procurement-themed business networking sessions as part of its broader events programme, which can be valuable for professionals looking to connect with local suppliers and buyers across all sectors. Furthermore, online platforms such as LinkedIn groups like “Procurement Professionals – North West” often advertise informal meetups and roundtable discussions in Manchester. To stay informed, it is advisable to monitor the CIPS North West Branch website and their social media channels for upcoming events, as well as to check the events calendar of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which sometimes hosts procurement-focused innovation workshops. In summary, while CIPS remains the anchor institution for procurement networking in Manchester, a combination of public sector partnerships, chamber events, and informal online communities ensures that professionals from all sectors can find relevant opportunities to engage with peers, exchange insights, and advance their careers in a structured, professional environment.