Another month is drawing to a close and we’re already getting to that point where we start looking back over the year at the big moments and what people have contributed to society in 2022.
In a year when many areas of the nation are still feeling the lasting impact of the pandemic and millions still face personal and professional obstacles as the nation and the economy try to recover, recognising figures that continue to motivate and inspire others seems more important than ever.
Moreover, given that October is Black History Month, we couldn’t think of a more influential and deserving figure to select for our Manc of the Month than the legend that is Sharon Amesu.
From the courtroom to coaching
Despite being Northwich-based, Sharon Amesu’s influence on Black-run businesses and professional women, not to mention diversity, inclusivity and leadership culture throughout the North West means she has done more than enough to earn the Manc of the Month accolade.
The leadership coach and entrepreneur began her career in law, enjoying a successful 16-year stint as a criminal barrister during which her practice helped countless families and women, specifically, with a strong focus on domestic violence cases in particular.
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However, as she told Merrick Solicitors back in 2019, she felt that she had spent more than enough time in the legal world and having picked up a wealth of transferrable skills, she decided to step away from the Bar and pursue professional development not only for herself but for others too.
Since her days bolstering benches across the North West, Amesu has gone on to play an integral part in a number of significant organisations such as her SA leadership development and consultancy business and the Society of Leadership Fellows, based out of St George’s House in Windsor Castle.
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A founding member of both institutions, the idea of their work is to bring prominent industry figures together and share wisdom through building a wider leadership network, as well as going out to businesses around the UK to show how they can put that knowledge into practice.
Even before she was a part of initiatives like these, Sharon quickly began establishing herself as a powerful and inspiring speaker, visiting all manner of companies to educate them on the importance of women and inclusivity in leadership.
She joined the Professional Speaking Association not long after she left the world of law and built up a strong following both personally and throughout the world of Greater Manchester businesses, helping people have the difficult conversations no one else will and resolving issues surrounding work culture.
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She soon began speaking all over the country and even went on to give her own TEDx Talk back in June 2021, discussing the subject of legacy and how the decisions we make in the present can massively affect the generations to come back in June 2021.
Already a multi-award-winning executive coach and motivational speaker – not to mention a “leadership and inclusion strategist” as described on her website – it won’t surprise you to know that Amesu was also made an Honorary Industry Fellow of the University of Salford Business School.
Backing Black businesses, women and diversity in Greater Manchester
On the subject of legacy, perhaps her biggest achievement comes in the form of She Leads for Legacy, a social enterprise set up with her daughter Afiya back in January 2021, which aims to reduce the barriers Black women face in the working world and accelerate their career progression.
For instance, just this weekend, Amesu stood alongside women’s charity Pregnant Then Screwed on a march to demand better policies for working mothers such as childcare and more flexible maternity leave.
Join me at #March ofTheMummies, a protest lead by @pregnantscrewed, on 29th October to demand Government reform on childcare, flexible working and parental leave https://t.co/yiOEXWJpd6
The hope is that those guided by the initiative will reach senior leadership and Board level positions within the workplace and, in turn, help better represent, inspire and serve their local communities. Her role as a Community Champion for the Sickle Cell Care Manchester charity is one of many examples.
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Moreover, having seen the lack of diversity when it comes to decision-making firsthand, Sharon and her daughter know all too well the challenges women and people of colour face in private and corporate business settings, especially.
THANK YOU to our fantastic community for making today such an incredible day!
We’re absolutely thrilled to have shared the room with so many inspirational women.
In fact, her contributions have been noted and felt by so many that in 2021 she was named among five key Black figures improving lives in Greater Manchester by Google Arts and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
But, crucially, her achievements are always shared.
Keeping it in the family
As she explained on The Mindset Mentor Meets… podcast, she herself felt a lot of guilt and imposter syndrome as a working mother of three juggling multiple roles, but the success of this mother-daughter team has proved so much of personal progression is about self-belief.
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The pair recently held the Empowered to Lead Conference at Bruntwood’s Bloc in Manchester city centre and set for a number of events before the end of 2022, including a Black Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). It’s all over Zoom so there’s no excuse for you to miss it.
As well as Afiya, her husband Sefa is also an accomplished development consultant; her eldest son Sefa Jr. is a promising Accounting and Finance student at Manchester Metropolitan University, and her youngest Edem is a champion ballroom dancer and model. They’re a powerhouse this lot.
Sharon and daughter turned partner in crime, AfiyaEdem, Afiya and Sefa Jr.Sharon and husband Sefa AmesuThe Amesu family
Sharon Amesu is a credit to black Mancunians and working women all over the UK. Furthermore, given how much local communities and North West businesses have already benefitted from her speaking, coaching and consultancy — and will continue to do so — this Manc of the Month is long overdue.
We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Black History Month than by bigging up one of the most important figures in Greater Manchester and the modern Black British community.
Worsley-born wood-fired pizza brand set for sensational US expansion
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester food brand that started in the little village of Worsley is about to go international in a big way as local Leopard Pie pizza is set to take America by storm.
In one of the most major and exciting culinary success stories to come out of Salford in some time, perhaps ever, much-loved pizza Leopard Pie have quietly struck a deal to carry out a significant expansion into the US.
Not only does this mean the likelihood of there being more of their restaurants up and down in the UK but with multiple venues scheduled to open across the Atlantic, the brand could be at the start of an unbelievable global journey.
Come on, how often do you hear a Manc foodie name in the same sentence as the States?
Leopard Pie and their delicious wood-fired pizza are set to make their debut in the US. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Speaking exclusively to The Manc, Leopard Pie confirmed: “We’re proud to share that Leopard Pie is embarking on a major U.S. expansion with a multi-location deal over the next five years.
“This marks a defining moment in our journey as we introduce a bold new Leopard Pie identity to the American market—while staying true to the heart and spirit that has made our UK brand and locations so widely loved.
“This milestone represents the start of an extraordinary journey as we introduce the next evolution of Leopard Pie—one that amplifies everything that has made our brand beloved while bringing fresh energy and bold new design concepts to a global audience.”
Already working intensely behind the scenes on what they’re hailing as a “visionary new US restaurant concept” for their pizza empire that not only elevated the dining experience but will “set new standards in the fast-casual dining scene”.
They also detailed plans to set up a dedicated domestic base of operations across the pond which will include a world-class training and development hub “to ensure that every chef and operator joining our US family delivers excellence from day one.”
When it comes to Manchester food and drink brands that have blown up, you’d be hard-pressed to any that have gone from an idea that started as recently as 2015 and gained traction during lockdown to expanding within such a fast time frame, let alone on such a massive scale – not even Rudy’s.
The big news now put to one side, it won’t surprise you to learn that Leopard Pie has stated “This is just the beginning”, teasing that they plan to expand into several other key territories and keep building the brand as much as possible.
Owner Lee Chester told us that America always felt somewhat in the stars for the neighbourhood staple; “From the very beginning, Leopard Pie was built with global ambition— the word ‘Pie’ itself a subtle nod to our U.S. vision, a hint as to what was to come.
“I am incredibly proud to be leading the brand into this exciting new era, where my role will evolve to mentor and empower new entrepreneurs to achieve success under the Leopard Pie name.
“I believe wholeheartedly that Leopard Pie’s next chapter will be one of exponential success, built on passion, innovation, and leadership. For those who partner with us now, the potential is immense—and the journey promises to be unforgettable.”
The brand has remained 100% independently owned since day one, having turned down multiple investment offers to date, but is now embarking on what feels like an unprecedented chapter for a local restaurant as they open up to “select strategic partnerships and investments”.
While specifics regarding how quickly the move into America will get underway and just how many sites there will be are still being kept under wraps, more details will be released soon enough.
Lee summed up the next steps by adding: “I believe with absolute certainty that Leopard Pie is entering a decade of unparalleled growth and excitement. For those who choose to partner with us now, the rewards and the legacy we will create together will be remarkable.”
And last but not least, you don’t have to worry about a local joint that started in Worsley forgetting their roots – the Salford staple isn’t just one of the best pizza places in Manchester but their hometown story is what makes this so special.
For now, you’ll still find them serving up full wood-fired Neapolitan pies and slices over in Worsley and from their stall in Kargo MKT in Central Bay, so give it a try if you haven’t already.
Their Kargo MKT site in Salford Quays.It really is very good.Credit: The Manc Group
You can get a mobile massage treatment in your office – just like us
Thomas Melia
We’d like to introduce you to the pioneering personalised service offering massage treatments on the move at practically any location including direct from your office– including to those of us here in Manchester.
In a world where you can get practically anything delivered straight to your door, it wasn’t going to be long until some genius invented a way to get a massage from the comfort of your own office.
Named ‘London’s first digital beauty concierge’, Ruuby have been pampering the nation’s capital for almost a decade before branching out to further locations.
The gorgeous set up provided by RuubyLook at that lovely branding on the towels.They did wonders with our otherwise plain downstairs office space. (Credit: The Manc Group)
In October 2024, the company expanded beyond its domestic reach in the likes of the capital, the Cotswolds and Surrey into Europe, making its first mark Switzerland: the perfect country for both luxury and essential beauty treatments with a tailored experience.
The month following saw the group moving up North and all the way to Manchester, where people can now book professional treatments best suited to them, right on their doorstep.
If you’re feeling scepticalstill, you can take it from us here at The Manc; we couldn’t tell you how relaxing and comforting these massages are.
There are a range of treatments available and we opted for two bespoke massages, a sports massage and a deep tissue massage.
Each experience is suited to your personal needs meaning each massage therapist will be able to fine-tune their relaxation abilities to what benefits you best.
After choosing the bespoke massage that I felt would work best for me, I went into this with no prior massage experience and I came out feeling taller, broader and more refreshed. Highly recommend.
Mid-day office massage? Yes, please.How relaxing. What a shame you have to go back to work after!Credit: The Manc Group
My masseuse guided me throughout the whole process and we soon discovered that I was able to tolerate much harder pressure than I thought which helped release tension I didn’t even know I had!
The same applies to how firm you’d like your session to be, as the masseuse can help with a brief overview of your time together, but the amount of pressure you like is down to personal preference.
It’s not just massages either: there’s everything from waxing, nails and hair to physio and IV drips; how about getting Marbella ready in less than an hour with a spray tan service set up wherever you are?
As Ruuby is a mobile and remote work environment, there are a number of at any time up and down the country, meaning your next beauty slot could be as little as an hour away, find out more HERE.
Danny Jones -
29th October 2022 
