Published
By Ashley Cox
As unveiled at the Supplier Excellence Awards, we are pleased to share this special film documenting moments and memories from the inaugural CPC Inclusion Cup, presented in partnership with the Manchester United Foundation.
Showcased at our 26th June 2025 event, the initial idea for what would become the CPC Inclusion Cup was born out of the 2024 Supplier Excellence Awards, where the Manchester United Foundation Chief Executive, John Shiels, was in attendance.
That evening, John witnessed some of the difference-making work Crescent Purchasing Consortium had been doing in support of the education sector (through the Giving Back charity initiative) and the seeds of an exciting, fruitful partnership were sown.
Last November, on a busy European matchday, John kindly found time to treat CPC Winter Event attendees to some thought-provoking anecdotes from his multi-decade career intertwining professional football and local community, sharing anecdotes and insight gleaned from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and the great Sir Bobby Charlton, as well as some of his own story.
With his work at the Manchester United Foundation sharing similarities with projects enabled by CPC's Giving Back initiative, John made for a fitting guest speaker and would offer inspiration through tales of his climb of Mount Kilimanjaro with former United midfielder and ‘Captain Marvel’, Bryan Robson, a challenge covered in the December edition of FourFourTwo magazine.
Among the top takeaways from his keynote speech, John placed a real emphasis on demonstrating care for others, rather than merely talking about it and this is something that CPC aims to achieve in 2025 through our Giving Back funding commitments; continuing our demonstrable support of pupils, students and staff, as we attempt to address SEND, absenteeism and wellbeing concerns through supportive purchases and projects. Watch this space for news of upcoming CPC Giving Back grant funding.
The 2025 CPC Inclusion Cup offered a new spin on Giving Back, inviting colleges from across the Greater Manchester region to participate in a unique, one-day event, spread across historic training facility The Cliff and the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford.
Mirroring the Manchester United Foundation's mission to Engage, Inspire & Unite, CPC endeavoured to make the day one to remember for its SEND students, each representing their respective colleges in trying to claim the CPC Inclusion Cup trophy.
For more on what went on at The Cliff and Old Trafford, including a host of photos, check out our CPC Inclusion Cup report.
The fun didn't end there, though... in May, the CPC Inclusion Cup event was featured in United Review, the official matchday programme of Manchester United Football Club, as they faced Athletic Club of Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League semi-final.
Then, for overall CPC Inclusion Cup winners Hopward Hall College, the final day of the Premier League season provided one more very special opportunity, with a trip to United's campaign-closing 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at a packed Old Trafford.
At Crescent Purchasing Consortium, we are proud to have delivered the inaugural CPC Inclusion Cup, in partnership with the Manchester United Foundation - and we are pleased to present this short film, on a day to live long in the memory...