Manchester-based communications and PR agency Duo Consulting has been named Micro Business of the Year at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence Awards 2025. The title recognises Duo’s role in promoting businesses that have chosen to scale from Manchester – supporting the city region’s growth story – and in redefining the traditional agency model.
Founded in 2022, Duo Consulting is a trusted partner for both scaling UK businesses and international firms expanding into the UK. Its flexible model brings together a network of senior consultants – each with experience at board or agency-director level – to deliver strategic communications for clients without the layers or overheads of a conventional agency.
Managing Director Daniel Sheridan said: “This award means a lot because it reflects what Duo is about – showing that a small, Manchester-headquartered team can deliver world-class results for ambitious UK and international clients. We’re proud to champion businesses scaling from this city and contribute to its growth story.”
The agency’s approach has seen it win work from major brands including Defaqto, SafetyCulture, Vypr, and Manchester Building Society – often displacing larger London-based agencies. It works closely with Manchester-based organisations promoting inward investment and is a member of both the Greater Manchester Chamber and the Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce.
Duo’s team brings together consultants with senior communications experience across in-house roles and leading agencies in the North and London. This structure allows the consultancy to scale flexibly for each brief and offer clients senior-level expertise from day one.
The award judges recognised Duo’s innovation, resilience and community impact, particularly its support for Manchester-based clients and the way it enables consultants to balance client work with volunteering and other personal commitments.
“Our model is built on trust and collaboration – both with clients and within our team,” added Sheridan. “We’ve proven that you don’t need to be a big agency to make a big impact.”
The Greater Manchester Chamber’s Excellence Awards attracted a record number of entries this year and were open to all organisations in the region – including more than 4,000 member businesses.
