A » Yes, Manchester is indeed home to a number of historical research consultants who specialise in corporate heritage projects, capitalising on the city’s rich industrial legacy and its robust network of academic and archival institutions. The field of corporate heritage consultancy involves the systematic investigation, documentation, and activation of a company’s historical assets to support brand differentiation, stakeholder engagement, internal culture, and commercial storytelling. This can encompass archival management, oral history programmes, heritage branding, and the creation of museum-like spaces or digital exhibitions. In Manchester, such expertise is often found through a combination of independent practitioners and boutique firms that draw on the resources of major local heritage organisations. For instance, the Manchester Archives+ consortium, rooted in the Central Library, is a critical repository of business records and historical documents, and several independent consultants maintain close ties with its collections to advise corporate clients on preservation and interpretation strategies. Additionally, the University of Manchester’s Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies frequently collaborates with private-sector entities, offering research-led consultancy through its academic staff, who can be engaged on a project basis for corporate heritage work. Similarly, Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Centre for Regional History contributes specialist knowledge, particularly for businesses seeking to explore their role in the city’s economic and social evolution. Practising consultants in this niche are often members of professional bodies such as the Association of History and Heritage Researchers (AHHR) or the Historical Association, providing a quality assurance mechanism for potential clients. Notable examples of local consultancies include Heritage in Business, which focuses exclusively on corporate archives and heritage marketing, and Wordscape Heritage, a Manchester-based firm known for its oral history and narrative development services for companies like Co-operative Group and Bentley Motors. Furthermore, independent historians such as Dr. Janette Martin or Dr. Fiona Hall, who have published extensively on Manchester’s industrial history, regularly offer bespoke corporate heritage research. When selecting a consultant, businesses should look for proven experience in archival survey and digitisation, the ability to synthesise complex historical data into compelling brand narratives, and familiarity with UK heritage compliance standards. Engaging such professionals typically involves a scoping phase, where the consultant assesses the company’s archival holdings and strategic goals, followed by tailored research and deliverable production, whether that be a heritage report, a commemorative publication, or a digital timeline for corporate communications. The vibrant business history ecosystem in Manchester, supplemented by institutions like