A group of members of the MCA visited Bridgewater Hall recently and enjoyed a tour around the remarkable building. Tour guide Glynn enthusiastically took members through the engineering and architectural wonders of the building from top to bottom.
Gala Dinner Donations
Secretary Agusta Thorarinsdottir and MCA committee member John Meeus were welcomed at the Manchester Lord Mayors Office recently to hand over donation collected at our Gala Dinner back in November. The Lord Mayor’s charity We Love MCR received the donations with thanks and we were joined by the Head of the Charity Mr. Simon Wright.
AGM
The MCA held its AGM at Manchester Hall on the 11th of October. The meeting was well attended by members and following election of a new members of the board the outgoing president Honorary Consul of Japan, Jo Ahmed formally handed the rains over to Consul General of Iraq, Jawad Al-Shaheen.
Business Meeting - Manchester Airport
The MCA was delighted to be invited to Manchester Airport to learn about the future plans of the site, with Terminal 2 being the main focus on development at the moment. We had presentations from both Andy Clarke the Head of Corporation Affairs and Chris Woodroofe Managing Director of the Airport.
Maria Gonzales and Nicole Strickland from GMCA also presented information about the current Internatinal Strategy and future Trade and Business Plans for the Greater Manchester area.
The Event was held at the 1903 Lounge at Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport.
Business Meeting - Factory International
The MCA was delighted to welcome from Factory International, Eva Pepper and Andrea Lowe to tell us all about their new venue named Aviva Studios. They told us about the building and about MIF and its history and connection with the city of Manchester. We also got to know some of the works that have been developed with international partners and how works developed by MIF have gone to travel to world.
We would like to thank Consuls Harald Loeffler and Sandra Morrison for hosting this event at their DAC Beachcroft offices in Spinningfields.
MCA Summer Social
The MCA hosted an annual Summer Social at Cloud 23 at the Hilton on Deansgate on the 28th of June. A beautiful venue with amazing views of the City it was perfect venue to share food and drink and catch up with members and friends. We had a special guest Jonathan Schofield a local historian and tour guide, joining us and giving us a brief history of the city.
MCA Represented at a service celebrating the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Following the coronation of HR King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the 6th of May members of the MCA were invited to a special Service at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday the 7th of May.
Business Meeting at Manchester Musuem
MCA members were invited to explore the newly renovated Manchester Musuem on the 2nd of March. Members were joined by Musuem Director Esme Ward who gave us a private tour around some of the most spectacular new spaces of the Musuem.
Gala Dinner Donations
The MCA President Jo Ahmed met with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to hand over funds raised at the Gala Dinner, recently held at Manchester Art Gallery. A record £1600 was raised for the Mayor’s Charity. The MCA would like to thank everyone who donated generously and the Mayor and his charity extend a heartfelt thanks to the members and guests of the Association.
Annual Gala Dinner - Manchester Art Gallery
The Manchester Consular Association hosted its 140th Annual Gala Dinner at Manchester Art Gallery on the 18th of November. It was a fantastic event welcoming Ambassador Hayashi of Japan as a guest of honour along with several other dignitaries. The evening was hosted by current President Jo Ahmed the Honorary Consul of Japan.
Koto Performer Sumie Kent
Guests included Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Ambassador Hayashi of Japan. Here with host and President of the MCA Jo Ahmed Honorary Consul for Japan
Drinks Reception
Ambassador Hayashi had a tour around the Galleries
Bev Craig Leader of Manchester City Council and Andy Burnham said a few words.
Japanese Music set the tone for the evening ahead
Dinner was served in one of the most stunning Galleries
High Sheriff Lorraine Worsley-Carter and Event Organiser Agusta Thorarinsdottir
President Jo addressed the Gala
Ambassador Hayashi addressing the Gala
Lord Lieutenant Diane Hawkins with Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford and Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Ann-Marie Humphreys pictured with Ambassador Hayashi and other guests.
Assistant Director of Protocol at the Foreign Office Alison MacMillan picture with John Meeus Retired Belgium Consul
Jo and Shiban Ahmed with Italian Consul General Matteo Corradini and his wife Alessia
Raffle winners Maria Gonzales and John Meeus
A good evening had by all
AGM 2022
The MCA held it’s AGM at Manchester Hall on the 19th of October. A well attended meeting by members and guests where Honorary Consul of Japan Jo Ahmed took over as President.
The members of the MCA wish her a successful year as our President
Business Meeting - 7th of September 2022
MCA welcomed a team from Greater Manchester Combined Authority including Councillor and Leader of Bury Council to our Business Meeting on the 7th of September. Team also included Maria Gonzales, Sophie Hopes and Stuart Dunne. They informed us of the work they’ve been doing to reach out to young people in Manchester, getting skills development back on track after the pandemic and emphasising the importance of connecting youth with the Business community. They also discussed the importance of Manchester as a Global Hub and it’s desire to connect with the International community. Very well attended by members and the MCA would like to thank Harald Loeffler and Sandra Morrison for hosting the meeting at their offices at DAC Beachcroft in the heart of Manchester.
MCA Summer Social - 29th of June 2022
The MCA hosted a fantastic Summer Social on a warm June evening at the spectacular Cloud 23 bar at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate. Attended by members and their guest they enjoyed an evening of relaxed and informal social atmosphere.
Special guest will be the Head of Deloitte Real Estate practice in Manchester who will share his knowledge on the various developments happening and planned in the city centre and give us an insight into how the city is changing and expanding.
MCA Business Meeting with ACAS
MCA continues it´s series of Business Meetings on Zoom welcoming Terry Duffy Area Director of ACAS. ACAS is an employment service funded by the Government aim to resolve employment disputes, serving both employers and employees. Terry informed us of their helpline services where they do have a designated language line for Manchester international community. Many thanks to all members who joined and if anyone would like to receive further details please let the Committee know.
MCA Business Meeting with special guest Andy Burnham
The MCA members were delighted to finally welcome Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to our Business Meeting. The meeting was hosted by Honorary Consul of Japan Jo Ahmed, our Vice President, in Deloitte Offices on Corporation Street. The MCA extends thanks to Jo and her colleagues at Deloitte for their warm welcome.
The meeting was well attended and the MCA would like to use the opportunity to welcome new Consul Generals to the association and to the city.
MCA donation to Lord Mayor´s Charity
Every year the MCA donates funds collected through a raffle at the Annual Gala Dinner to a chosen Greater Manchester Charity. This time it was the Lord Mayor´s of Manchester chosen charity We Love MCR that received the donation.
Below photos were taken when Consul General of Romania and the current President of the MCA Andreea Berechet kindly handed the donations to Ged Carter on behalf of the MCA in January 2022.
Annual Gala Dinner - Gorton Monastery
After a cancelled event in 2020 due to national lockdown the MCA was delighted to host its 139th Gala Dinner at the stunning Gorton Monastery. Hosted by President Andreea Berechet Consul General of Romania honoured guests enjoyed an evening of Romanian music and delicious food.
Victory Busby, Director of Protocol and Vice Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps at the FCDO, Andreea Berechet, Consul General of Romania and President of the MCA and John Meeus, Retired Honorary Consul of Belgium and Event Organiser.
Alexandra Stewart, Honorary Consul for Norway, Jo Ahmed Honorary Consul for Japan, Miho Hatakayama, Assistant Consul for Norway and Maria Gonzalez, Principal of International Relations at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Victory and Andreea with Alexandru Dodan Romanian Deputy Ambassador and his wife Corina Dodan
Jo Ahmed and Maria Gonzalez
AGM
Our AGM was held at Manchester Hall on the 1st of November and it was the first time the MCA came together since the start of the Pandemic. It was lovely to meet face to face and we would like to thank all the members who joined.
Andreea Berechet Consul General of Romania receives the Presidential medal from outgoing President Agusta Thorarinsdottir Honorary Consul of Iceland and Denmark
Manchester Hall
New Consulate General for Ireland opens in Manchester
The MCA is thrilled to welcome new members of the newly established Consulate General of Ireland, Consul General Sarah Mangan and Vice Consul General Carina O’Brien.
MCA Business Meeting - The Graphene Institute
Today, Wednesday the 27th of January 2021 the MCA was honoured to welcome two senior staff at The Graphene Institute, Fredrik Schedin and John Whittaker to talk about their very interesting work. Fredrik discussed the science behind graphene, how it was discovered and further developed followed by John discussing the Facilities of the Institute at University of Manchester. Huge thanks to all the members who joined as I am sure you all found it very interesting. We hope to visit the Institute in the coming future.
The meeting was recorded and if any members would like a copy please contact the president.
