Heineken UK Announces Sponsorship of Manchester Pride 2025

Celebrating inclusivity, community and the ‘Joy of True Togetherness’ in the home city of the company’s largest brewery

HEINEKEN UK is proud to announce its new sponsorship of Manchester Pride, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQIA+ celebrations, further cementing HEINEKEN UK’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity.

As the home of HEINEKEN UK’s biggest brewery, the company is a major employer in the city, and brews over two and a half million of pints of beer there every day.

This August, more than 100 HEINEKEN UK colleagues will proudly take part in the Manchester Pride Parade, celebrating love, diversity and the power of community, under the banner ‘Brewing in Manchester With Love.’

“At HEINEKEN UK, inclusivity is not just a value — it’s who we are,” said Boudewijn Haarsma, Managing Director of HEINEKEN UK. “We’re delighted to support Manchester Pride; an event that reflects our belief in the joy of true togetherness, and in a city where many of our colleagues live and work. This partnership is an important part of how we create a workplace — and help to create a world — where everyone is free to be themselves.”

Mark Fletcher, chief executive at Manchester Pride, added “We’re pleased to welcome HEINEKEN UK to Manchester Pride this year. Heineken’s commitment to creating spaces where everyone can show up as their full, authentic selves aligns strongly with our own values, and we’re proud to be partnering with them. With their largest UK brewery based right here in Manchester, we’re seeing firsthand the impact of their Heineken Open and Proud colleague network in championing inclusion and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Not just within their teams, but across the wider industry.”

This year’s celebration will also see HEINEKEN UK’s Strongbow cider brand activated at Pride events. Since its relaunch in 2023, Strongbow has been on a mission to become the UK’s most inclusive cider and Pride offers a joyful opportunity to connect with people in a meaningful and memorable way.

HEINEKEN UK’s sponsorship of Manchester Pride reflects the company’s wider goal of being a great place to work — one where fun, openness, and belonging are key to colleagues’ experiences.

Boudewijn Haarsma continues: “From our brewery floor to the streets of Manchester, HEINEKEN UK is proud to champion diversity and celebrate the communities that make this city great.”

HEINEKEN UK will take part in the parade with 100 colleagues, alongside Manchester-based DJ Palace Plastick, and local drag queens, Ramona Love and Skylar Cister.

To get your tickets to Manchester Pride events and learn more about the Parade, visit: manchesterpride.com/parade

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For further information contact:

HEINEKEN UK: Joanna.dring@heineken.co.uk

Manchester Pride: pressoffice@wearejam.agency

To apply for Manchester Pride Festival press / media accreditation, please fill out this form

Notes to editors

About HEINEKEN UK:

Headquartered in Edinburgh, HEINEKEN is the UK’s leading pub, cider and beer business. The company owns around 2,400 pubs as part of its Star Pubs business and employs around 2,100 people. We are passionate about our cider and beer brands and the outstanding service that we offer to our customers. Our unrivalled portfolio of brands includes Heineken® 0.0, Heineken®, Foster’s, Strongbow, Cruzcampo, John Smith’s, Inch’s Cider, Amstel, Birra Moretti and Old Mout, backed by a full range of niche and specialty brands. HEINEKEN also owns Beavertown and Brixton Brewery.

HEINEKEN Manchester brewery has been located in Hulme, central Manchester, since 2008, although there has been a brewery at the site since 1875. Today it brews many household name beers for the UK market including Foster’s, Cruzcampo and Heineken. In 2021, HEINEKEN UK announced a £25 million investment in heat pump technology at Manchester brewery to help reduce carbon emissions.

About Manchester Pride:

Manchester Pride is a world-leading festival of LGBTQ+ life and culture.

Its events and programming is created in collaboration with Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ communities. Through its efforts, Manchester Pride supports the well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester, supporting grassroots organisations and initiatives. Further to this, it provides a global platform to elevate the rich diverse spectrum of LGBTQ+ talent in Greater Manchester.

Why Manchester Pride?

Manchester Pride is part of a global Pride movement celebrating LGTBQ+ equality and challenging discrimination. Whether you’re attending Pride to protest, party, or both, some benefits of the festival include:

• Manchester Pride’s annual events make a £27.5 million impact and contribution to Manchester’s economy .

• Manchester Pride creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to gain skills. Each year, the charity trains more than 250 volunteers to be a part of the celebrations.

• The festival provides a platform for LGBTQ+ artists from Greater Manchester, giving them access to a large audience.

• Services and supplies are procured from LGBTQ+ owned businesses across the region.

Visit www.manchesterpride.com for more information and resources.

For further information contact:

HEINEKEN UK: Joanna.dring@heineken.co.uk

Manchester Pride: pressoffice@wearejam.agency

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