Ackroyd was a typical Liberal of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. A strong nonconformist, a Wesleyan lay preacher, he entered banking at the bottom rung and worked his way up to manager. He served as a JP, was on Manchester City Council becoming Alderman and was a leading figure in the social and religious life of Manchester being associated particularly with good works for neglected children and in the YMCA. He stood for parliament three times winning just once.