Rhys Whalley

    Exectuive Director of Manchester China Forum

    Rhys is the Executive Director of the Manchester China Forum, Greater Manchester’s special purpose vehicle tasked with maintaining Greater Manchester’s long-term links to China. Its primary objectives focus on strengthening political dialogue and exchange, growing commercial links through increased inward investment and trade and export activity; as well as improving engagement and collaboration across education, culture, and sports.

    As China becomes an increasingly significant player in twenty-first century global trade, Rhys believes that aspiring global cities such as Greater Manchester have an important role to play in driving forward engagement with a nation that will be critical in addressing many of the global challenges we face this century.

Prior to joining the Manchester China Forum, Rhys spent 10 years working in China both with the international property-firm Jones Lang LaSalle in Beijing and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

He believes, with conviction, in the importance of enhancing understanding between Greater Manchester and China.