The M.E.N has published its 2013 edition of 250 of the Most Influential People in Greater Manchester magazine. The guide features representatives from the worlds of sport, culture, business politics, the public sector and religion and charities.
This year's publication was launched at a special event at Manchester's Radisson Edwardian Hotel and was once again sponsored by law firm Hill Dickinson. There were two guest speakers at the function, which was attended by many of those on the list.
First up was GB Olympic sprint cycling coach Jon Norfolk, who is based at Manchester's veledrome. He gave a presentation on the secret to the GB team's gold medal success and parallels between sport and business.
He was followed by former Joy Division and New Order star Peter Hook (pictured), who was interviewed on stage by M.E.N head of business Adam Jupp. Hook told the audience of his pride at the fact Manchester's music scene is still famous across the globe.
The keen M.E.N reader said his mum still collects all the issues of the paper whenever he is away.
He said: “Whenever I come back to Manchester I feel like I am at home and my mum always keeps issues of the M.E.N so I can read them from front to back.”
The special publication will be distributed alongside the MEN's sister publication Greater Manchester Business Week.
The M.E.N team also plan to ask readers which people on the list they think have the most influence on Manchester life today. The poll will run online, with the results published in print and on the web when they come back.
Trinity Mirror regional managing director Steve Anderson-Dixon said: "We were delighted to publish the 250 of the Most Influential People in Greater Manchester supplement for the second year running.
"After last year's launch, we received so much positive feedback from across the region, with many people saying it served as an invaluable guide for the year.
"Once again, it was great to have the support of Hill Dickinson and the event itself was really interesting, with some great insights from Jon and Peter."
This year's publication included a special tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, who announced his retirement days before it went to print.
