News
Greater Manchester’s Business Compliance Support Team Shortlisted for Workforce Optimisation Award
25th February 2026
Greater Manchester’s Business Compliance Support (BCS) team has been shortlisted for the Workforce Optimisation category at The MJ Achievement Awards 2026, recognising its innovative approach to developing the next generation of regulatory professionals across the city‑region.
The nomination reflects the impact of the BCS team’s workforce development model, which brings together local authorities from across Greater Manchester to strengthen capacity, modernise regulatory skills, and create sustainable pathways into compliance roles.
Following the success of the first cohort - all of whom secured positions within Greater Manchester local authorities after completing their apprenticeships or professional portfolios - a new cohort began in October 2025, further expanding the programme’s reach. Funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the programme continues to build on the strong foundations established in its first year.
This collaborative approach has provided councils with a more resilient and flexible workforce, improved consistency in regulatory delivery, and offered trainees a structured, supportive route into long‑term careers within local government.
“This recognition is a tribute to the dedication of our partner authorities and the determination of the BCS team,” said Councillor Laura Boyle from Tameside Council. “By investing in people and creating clear development pathways, we’re strengthening the regulatory services that businesses rely on every day. The achievements of the first cohort and the enthusiasm of the new one show just how powerful shared learning and workforce collaboration can be.”
The winners of The MJ Achievement Awards 2026 will be announced on 19th June 2026.
Working Together = Winning Together
5th March 2026
The BCS team recently attended a DHL warehouse in Trafford to inspect a large consignment of imported good, in collaboration with Trafford Council's Environmental Health team.
During the visit, over four tonnes of unfit and restricted food and other products were identified.
This collaborative task meant that swift action was taken to ensure these items were removed from circulation. This joint effort has helped prevent potentially harmful products from entering the UK market, supporting the protection of consumers and maintaining food safety standards.
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM BUSINESS COMPLANCE SUPPORT
Date: 18 December 2025
As we head into the winter season and prepare for the year ahead we'd like to thank you for working with us throughout 2025.
Our latest newsletter brings updates from our team, upcoming workshops and practical seasonal compliance tips to keep your business safe, compliant and confident this winter. If you haven't already signed up for our quarterly newsletter, head over to our contact page now.
INTRODUCING YOUR NEW BCS OFFICERS
Following the success of our former cohort, we have a brand new team of Business Compliance Support Officers!
Covering all ten boroughs across the Greater Manchester city region, this dedicated new cohort is here to support small and medium-sized enterprises in getting compliance right the first time - saving time, reducing risk, and helping your business thrive.
Equipped with a wide range of skills, our officers have hit the ground running. Since October, they’ve engaged with over 500 businesses - delivering free, practical guidance to keep compliance simple and stress-free.
We wish you a safe and successful winter season and look forward to supporting you into 2026.
New Regulations Requiring Businesses to Separate Recyclable Materials from General Waste
Date: 21 February 2025
There are new recycling regulations coming into effect on 31st March 2025. We're encouraging businesses to prepare for these changes.
You will need to separate the following recyclable materials for recycling:
- Glass such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars
- Metal such as drinks cans and food tine, empty aerosols, aluminium foil, aluminium food trays and tubes
- Plastic such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles
- Paper such as old newspapers and envelopes
- Cardboard such as delivery boxes and packaging
- Food leftovers or waste generated by food preparation
It is compulsory for all workplaces, schools, residential and car homes etc to arrange a separate collection of these material, so they can be recycled efficiently. More details can be found here; Business of Recycling | WRAP
If you're a smaller business with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees, you have until 31st March 2027 to implement these changes.
Greater Manchester Business Compliance Support Celebrates LGC Workforce Award Nomination for Smart Working
Date: 5 November 2024
Greater Manchester’s Business Compliance Support (GMBCS) is proud to announce its nomination for the LGC Workforce Award for Smart Working, which recognises councils that are delivering innovative, efficient, and responsive public services.
While GMBCS did not take home the top prize, the nomination itself is a testament to the team's success in modernising business compliance support across the region.
Established in 2023 through a partnership between Greater Manchester’s local authorities’ public protection teams, GMBCS was formed to streamline and enhance regulatory support for businesses. Thanks to funding from the Regulators Pioneer Fund*, part of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), GMBCS has developed a forward-thinking team of business compliance apprentices and environmental health graduates. The initiative aims to build the next generation of regulators, who benefit from the expertise of seasoned officers before they retire.
In their first year, GMBCS has provided compliance support to over 3,000 businesses across Greater Manchester, enabling companies to navigate complex food and product regulations more easily, freeing up time for businesses to focus on customers. The collaborative approach has not only supported businesses but also modernised the way local authorities provide these vital services, aligning with the award's focus on smart, efficient working.
Reflecting on the nomination, Science Minister Vallance (DSIT) said: "Our funding has given local authorities in Greater Manchester the support they need to accelerate innovation and turn it into success, commended by the LGC and Association for Public Service Excellence (Best Collaborative Working Category of the ASPE) nominations. This financial backing has helped businesses navigate food and product regulations, giving them more time to focus on customers."
Although the team did not win the award, the recognition from LGC highlights the pioneering work GMBCS alongside regulatory services across 10 local authorities’ in driving innovation within public service delivery and building a workforce prepared for the future of regulatory services.
GMBCS remains committed to supporting businesses across Greater Manchester and looks forward to continuing its mission of making regulatory compliance smoother and more accessible.
For more information, visit GMBCS website.
* In November 2022, the UK Government awarded Tameside Council a grant of £503,728 via the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund to deliver the Greater Manchester Business Compliance Service, which started in September 2023. The RPF is a grant-based fund to enable UK regulators and local authorities to help create a UK regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment. The current £12m round is being delivered by the DSIT. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/projects-selected-for-the-regulators-pioneer-fund/projects-selected-for-the-regulators-pioneer-fund-2022
Greater Manchester Business Compliance Team Double Award Finalists
Date: 15 August 2024
Greater Manchester’s Business Compliance Support (GMBCS) has been recognised for its outstanding collaborative and smart working efforts in local government.
Their commitment to promoting co-operative working while driving positive impact across Greater Manchester (GM) has earned them a place as finalists in the Best Collaborative Working Category of the ASPE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Service Awards 2024.
The innovative approach to recruitment and delivery of the GMBCS service has also seen them achieve a spot as finalists in the LGC Workforce (Local Government Chronicle) Awards 2024.
The team’s innovative approach to regulatory compliance was launched in October 2023, with the aim to enhance compliance and support business growth across the ten boroughs of GM. All local authorities from across GM came together to support the project. Over a two-year period, the service is delivering free regulatory and compliance support and signposting to small and medium businesses across GM allowing businesses more time to focus on growth.
Science Minister Vallance, said of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund projects:
“Fresh thinking and new regulatory approaches will give confidence to investors, researchers and consumers alike, and we want to encourage businesses to choose the UK as the best destination to develop their new ideas and bring them to market.
“Our funding has given local authorities in Greater Manchester the support they need to accelerate innovation and turn it into success, commended by these nominations. This financial backing has helped businesses navigate food and product regulations, giving them more time to focus on customers."
GMBCS covers environmental health, trading standards and licensing regulatory functions for businesses in the foundational economy* including support with food safety, product safety and labelling, fair trading, consumer rights, food labelling and premises licensing.
The service is benefiting businesses across Greater Manchester and is delivered by a team working alongside established, trusted and knowledgeable trading standards, environmental health and licensing teams to ensure that businesses get the best support.
John Wrathmell, Senior Director of Economy, Strategy and Research at Greater Manchester Combined Authority said,
“GM Business Compliance Support is doing fantastic work, being nominated for two prestigious awards just a year into its journey. This recognition is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and hard work of the team. Their commitment to excellence in public service has driven the success of the service and made a significant impact in keeping businesses and the public safe. This nomination is not just an honour, it is a reflection of the positive changes the team are making to regulation and compliance across Greater Manchester.”
The APSE Awards are a celebration of excellence provided by frontline services in UK local authorities. The finalists are selected by expert judges and represent the unsung heroes of local government. Winners will be announced at the APSE Annual Charity Awards Dinner held on September 12, 2024, at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.
The LGC Workforce Awards recognise, celebrate and highlight innovative achievements in local government workforce management. The 2024 awards will be held on November 5, 2024, at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
The project has been made possible with funding for the project coming from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund.
Thrive With BCS
Date: Friday 7 June 2024
The BCS team held their first online "Thrive With A 5" workshop this morning.
The half hour sessions are designed to provide businesses with the information they need to ensure they achieve the best possible rating in their food hygiene inspection. At the end of the presentation there is the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any grey areas.
There was excellent feedback from the session with one attendee stating "Being the lead on HACCP in the company I already knew a lot about what was said, but it is always great to have a refresher and bring the knowledge back to the front of the brain. I thought all the information delivered was useful and considering it was only a 30 minute workshop, a huge amount was covered and delivered very clearly".
The Thrive With A 5 workshops will be run on a regular basis, both online and in person. Keep an eye on our events page for future sessions.
Business Compliance Support Official Launch
Date: Thursday 25 April 2024
Last Friday saw the official launch of Greater Manchester’s Business Compliance Support service, with a fun and interesting morning at Manchester’s Central Library. The launch was well turned out and it was great to see support from the local authority’s across Greater Manchester, along with a variety of growth and business support organisations.
Business Compliance Support is an innovative new service aimed at making regulation and compliance easier for businesses to understand, with a particular focus on environmental health, trading standards and licensing. The service is a collaborative effort, with a dedicated team providing regulatory and compliance support to businesses across Greater Manchester.
The service has already gained support from service managers, team leaders and regulators across Greater Manchester, supporting the creation of the service and helping to deliver the next generation of regulators.
Programme manager Nick Reddrop gave an engaging and interesting presentation, talking about the brief history of the service and showcasing some of the achievements and key successes so far. You can read more about success stories on the testimonials page.
We also heard from John Wrathmell, director of Strategy, Research and Economy at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), who spoke about the importance of the service within the local business economy - "Business Compliance Support is now an essential part of supporting our businesses in Greater Manchester".
Business Compliance Support launches
Date: Wednesday 20 December 2023
Business Compliance Support has now launched across Greater Manchester (GM). All local authorities from across GM have come together to support the project. Over the next two years Business Compliance Support will offer free regulatory and compliance support and signposting to small and medium businesses across GM allowing them more time to focus on growth.
The new service will cover environmental health, trading standards and licensing regulatory functions for businesses in the foundational economy including support with food safety, product safety and labelling, fair trading, consumer rights, food labelling and premises licensing.
The expanded service will benefit businesses across Greater Manchester and will be provided by a brand new team working alongside established, trusted and knowledgeable trading standards, environmental health and licensing teams to ensure that businesses get the best support.
Julian Jackson, Director of Place at Tameside Metropolitan Council said:
“We are thrilled to see this investment and support for businesses across the region. The foundational economy accounts for over 42 per cent of jobs in the Greater Manchester city-region and it is made up of more than 60,000 businesses.
"The new service will ensure businesses can get compliance right first time and free up their time so they can innovate and grow. The service will also support businesses to reduce the risk of future enforcement action that could be financially and reputationally damaging.
"We are creating a reactive and proactive business regulatory support service that operates across Greater Manchester to ensure that businesses can access consistent compliance support regardless of the local authority in which they are based.”
Robert Downes, Development Manager at Federation of Small Businesses - Manchester said:
“It’s really great news for small businesses in GM that all councils in the city region area have come together to embrace a new way of working. This will help some of the smallest private sector firms make sense of regulations and compliance, and take the stress out of something many business owners see as complicated and difficult, ultimately saving them time and money.”
Over the coming months the team will be contacting businesses initially in the hospitality and food and drink sectors across Greater Manchester to offer support, but if you would like help now you can find out more and contact the team at www.gmbcs.co.uk
The project has been made possible with funding for the project coming from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund.
Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, said:
“From AI in healthcare to drone delivery to nutraceuticals – the rapid development of technology has created a huge opportunity for the UK to be a global leader in testing new technologies and taking new regulatory approaches which ensure investor and customer confidence.
“Our funding is supporting 24 pioneering projects to experiment and innovate, while helping businesses to introduce game-changing products and services to market – which in turn creates new jobs and grows our economy.”