The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has joined forces with Employment Hero – a global HR, payroll, and benefits platform – in a concerted effort to bolster SMEs and stimulate economic expansion in the North.
With a combined goal of empowering small businesses in the Greater Manchester area, GMCC, the largest accredited Chamber of Commerce in the UK with over 4,200 members, and Employment Hero, serving 20,000 SMEs and 200,000 employees in the UK, are pooling their resources.
Together, they aim to broaden their range of support services, including payroll management, HR, and recruitment, to fortify the local business landscape.
This strategic partnership underscores a mutual dedication to fostering economic prosperity and highlighting the ingenuity and resilience of Greater Manchester.
A recent report from GMCC highlighted a significant demand for customer-facing roles, such as in care and hospitality. Despite this demand, a staggering 65% of employers said that these positions are ‘hard to fill’. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the care sector, which advertised almost 15,000 vacancies last year alone.
The report also pays homage to the North’s historical role as an industrial powerhouse, with over 100,000 manufacturing jobs available in the Greater Manchester area.
These industries remain vital to our economy and require substantial support to thrive. Employment Hero’s platform is particularly beneficial for SMEs grappling with complex pay runs or shift scheduling.
Their talent matching tool, SmartMatch, harnesses the power of AI to match employers with pre-vetted candidates for every role within the business to ensure optimal staffing levels. By consolidating recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and HR processes into a centralised system, SMEs can significantly enhance team efficiency.
Reet Sercombe, head of membership & commercial at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “At the heart of our mission is empowering small businesses across the North, ensuring they have the resources and connections essential for success. Regardless of their industry or scale, every company grapples with HR challenges. Teaming up with Employment Hero bolsters our support system, providing SMEs in Greater Manchester with a robust platform to nurture and expand their teams.”
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK MD at Employment Hero, (pictured) said: “No small business owner wants to spend their time completing admin tasks, but the reality is that dealing with HR issues like recruitment and payroll takes up a lot of time and headspace. SMEs are the real heroes of our economy, making up 99% of all businesses, giving jobs to 70% of the world’s workers, and contributing nearly half of global GDP. Imagine if they could put all their energy into growing their businesses instead of completing paperwork. I’m thrilled to partner with GMCC and believe that together we can boost the local economy and show the world what Greater Manchester has to offer.”
