Local business owner recognised for creating inclusive networking revolution that has attracted over 4,200 bookings from women in business across South Manchester
Alex McCann, owner of Altrincham HQ, has been nominated for Male Ally of the Year at the prestigious SheInspires Awards, in recognition of his work founding and running Alex & His Sisters — a networking event series designed to make business networking accessible to women in South Manchester.
The nomination comes on the back of remarkable growth for the events, which have recorded more than 4,200 bookings since launching in Altrincham in 2019.
McCann, a former journalist, created the events after noticing a systemic barrier facing women in local business. “Women in business in Altrincham were being locked out of events because male dominated events would be scheduled early in the day around the time of the school run,” he said. “I’d mention the importance of networking and recommend events to clients, but they couldn’t make the times. It didn’t feel fair that women in business were being denied the opportunity to network locally.”
The series launched under a deliberately memorable name. “That’s why I launched Alex & His Sisters — a cheesy name I know, but one that is memorable,” McCann said. The first event quickly exceeded expectations: “Our 1st event was meant to have just 35 people in — we oversold it with 50 people booked on. And then we had to change venues to accommodate more people.”
The events now run every other month with 100 attendees at each, but McCann is clear the figures only go so far. “The numbers only tell part of their story,” he said. “The format is different than other events and I use my skills as a former journalist to interview an inspirational woman in business in front of a live audience. Out of events there are collaborations and launches which are amazing to see.”
The impact of Alex & His Sisters has also been felt beyond the events themselves. “Since we launched our events they’ve gone on to inspire 5-6 local networking events which all take place within school hours,” McCann noted. “I love that our idea has started a networking revolution that puts women at the heart of it.”
Looking ahead, McCann has ambitions to expand the concept well beyond South Manchester. “At the moment I’m looking at an online version of our events where we collaborate across the UK and Europe with other networking groups,” he said. “What started in Altrincham will reach the whole world.”
The SheInspires Awards celebrate women and allies whose contributions — in business, community and beyond — often go unrecognised. The awards are rooted in a belief that recognition should be built on contribution, resilience and purpose rather than profile or polish.
More info https://www.sheinspires.org.uk/awards/
ENDS
Photos: Katie Lucas
For press enquiries, contact Altrincham HQ.
alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk or 07806774279
