About

SEESAW is a shared workspace where Manchester’s creative community work, play and grow.

OUR PURPOSE

Born out of a desire to cultivate and support Manchester’s creative community, the concept for a space to work, learn and play with like-minded professionals came from a group of creatives who share the same passion and motto: love what you do.

OUR BELIEFS

Work doesn’t feel like work when you’re creating things with people you admire. You achieve your best creatively and in business when involving others with skill sets that complement your own in an environment that you enjoy.

WHO WE ARE

Three Manchester creatives - Philip Hannaway, David McCall and Atul Bansal - joined forces with the owners of 86 Princess Street to see what could be possible by creating a community in a transformed warehouse space. They are joined by the creative talents of Caroline Boyd, Katy Morrison, Jeff and Rhian Charlwood. Bringing a wide range of creatives across every discipline into the space as founding members, creatives informed the vision and possibilities of SEESAW on a physical, emotional and business level. It’s a living concept owned by everyone.

Atul Bansal

Co-founder

Interior designer and founder of Sheila Bird Studio, Atul worked closely with Philip Hannaway to create the look and feel of SEESAW as you see it. You’ll see Atul around the space chatting and laughing with members. He can’t wait to meet you. That said, he has that many friends, you probably already know him!

David McCall

Co-founder

The creative educator behind Hyper Island’s first international move outside of Sweden and into Manchester, David went on to roll-out the renowned tech and design school in London, Amsterdam, Silicon Valley USA and Singapore. David loves seeing others unlock their potential through lifelong learning and personal self-development. As well as co-founding SEESAW, David is the owner and co-founder of TAKK artisan coffee house and ÖL Brewery at Hatch and soon will launch a new innovative school model running out of Toronto and Manchester.

Philip Hannaway

Co-founder & Managing Director

Coffee lover and leading the way at SEESAW, Philip is the co-founder of TAKK and ÖL Brewery In Manchester. With a background in arts marketing in the city, his roles have included Audience Development Manager at Green Room, Marketing Manager at Manchester Craft and Design Centre and Artistic Director of Chorlton Arts Festival. Philip is an entrepreneurial leader and a passionate supporter of young and emerging artists.

Caroline Boyd

Brand and Communications Manager

Former community radio presenter, Shillington graphic design graduate and founder of Boy Oh Boy Designs, Caroline also brings fifteen years of marketing and communications experience to the team. A former Irish dancer and Drama graduate, she's excited to be spending time with SEESAW's wide range of members.

Katy Morrison

Community & Space Manager

Katy’s experience across hospitality and the visual arts makes her the perfect person to bring creativity and community together. An academic, writer and a barista, she also runs PINK - a curatorial project focusing on interdisciplinary research, practice and collaborative exchange.

Rhian Charlwood

Finance Manager

Rhian's background is in Procurement and Operations, but she made the leap into numbers when she retrained to join husband Jeff in his Accountancy practice. She is a fan of festivals and live music and can often be found trawling the Northern Quarter shops for vintage finds.

Jeff Charlwood

Management Accountant

Jeff has been a Chartered Accountant since before he could grow a beard. He loves numbers and vinyl records in equal measure, and will happily sit and chat with you about both. Particularly if it involves a nice peaty whisky.

Curated for creatives, by creatives

By curating this community we can make the most of the space and each other, develop our creative processes and change how we all work and live for the better. We're here to help you and your business prosper and to support and develop Manchester's creative talent. And have fun along the way, of course.

Learning and growth is at the heart of SEESAW, as is giving back more than we receive. That's why things feel special here with a learning programme of workshops, classes and mentoring run by and for the community.