NREC Made Its Manchester Debut With Property Leaders From Across The North West

On Thursday 10th September, the Napthens Real Estate Club (NREC) brought together professionals from across the North West property sector for its first-ever Manchester event, hosted at Pitch Manchester.

NREC is designed to connect people from across the regional property sector to share ideas, build relationships, and discuss the key issues shaping our towns and cities. Less than 12 months on from the opening of our Manchester Law office, hosting our debut NREC event in the city marks an exciting milestone in our continued growth and investment in the region.

A vibrant turnout of familiar and new faces

The evening was one of best turnouts yet, bringing together a mix of familiar faces and first-time attendees. Through promotional partnerships with Pro-Manchester and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, we were thrilled to welcome many professionals who were completely new to Napthens, allowing us to share our expertise and help attendees build valuable new connections across the city’s business community.

Take a look at the evening

Explore the gallery below for highlights from the panel discussion, networking and activities during the night.

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To stay up to date with future events and discussions, join the Napthens Real Estate Club LinkedIn group.

Creating places where people want to be

The evening’s discussion focused on the theme ‘Manchester momentum: creating places people want to live, work and visit’. Krista Powell, real estate partner and head of the Manchester office opened the conversation alongside Joe Manning from Invest Manchester, before handing over to an expert panel featuring:

• Richard Wharton – JLL
• Ritchie Watson – Together
• Sam Darby – Bruntwood SciTech
• Thom Hetherington – Landing Light and Manchester Art Fair

Together, the panel explored Manchester’s ongoing growth and the key factors around urban development. The conversation emphasised the importance of taking a long-term view, investing strategically, and creating communities with lasting appeal rather than simply delivering new buildings.

Culture, hospitality, and amenities were also front and centre, examining how successful places are shaped around people, experience, and community from the outset.

Networking, golf, and shuffleboard

Following the panel discussion, guests continued their conversations over Pitch Manchester’s golf simulators and shuffleboard. The relaxed, interactive setting provided the perfect backdrop for attendees to catch up with existing contacts and build new relationships across Manchester’s thriving property community.

Feedback from the evening has been truly brilliant, highlighting the energy, quality of discussion, and warmth of the networking.

What our leadership had to say

Krista Powell, Real Estate Partner and Head of Napthens’ Manchester Office, said:

“Manchester has an incredible story to tell and it was fantastic to bring NREC to the city for the first time. The discussion reflected the ambition, creativity and collaboration that continue to drive growth across the region, while also recognising the importance of creating places where people genuinely want to live, work and visit.

It was particularly encouraging to welcome so many people who were new to both NREC and Napthens, and we’re excited to continue building those connections.”

Jamie Allison, Head of Real Estate at Napthens, added:

“One of the things that makes NREC special is the diversity of perspectives in the room. With developers, investors, planners, consultants, funders, and business leaders, the best conversations happen when different experiences come together.

The quality of discussion and networking at our Manchester event showed exactly why those conversations matter.”

To stay up to date with future events and discussions, you can also join the official Napthens Real Estate Club LinkedIn group.

How else can Napthens help?

For expert legal support across the sector, explore the services and people behind our Commercial Property, Corporate Law, and Commercial Litigation teams, alongside Napthens’ wider legal services for businesses and individuals.