Architect of ‘modern Manchester’ Sir Howard Bernstein becomes ‘Ambassador’
The man hailed as the architect of “modern Manchester” – the thrusting city hub which has forged a deserved reputation as the UK’s second city – made a special appearance to pick up the North West Business Masters Ambassadors Award last night.
Sir Howard Bernstein, the newly-retired former chief executive of Manchester City Council, is a colossal public figure. The kind of man they name highways, buildings, even sports stadia after.
He received his award from Robert Hough CBE DL, director of Peel Holdings.
Bernstein said: “I don’t want to look backwards, I never do. The important thing is to look forward.
“I know many of you in this room have all played a huge part in the transformation of Manchester and made a real contribution to the growth and development of Greater Manchester itself.
“We now enjoy a platform for change which is unprecedented in generations in my opinion. We do still face uncertainty and challenges ahead – who knows what Brexit’s going to bring, not just for us but for the UK and indeed the rest of Europe?
“One thing I am clear about is that the focus of business and the public sector, our commitment to drive the priorities of Greater Manchester and, above all, a commitment to continue that collaborative culture of co-operation is absolutely fundamental and by doing that we can only go further and further and further.”
Bernstein, said Hough, is the man credited with spearheading some of Manchester’s biggest regeneration projects over the past two decades and “the voice of Manchester – a voice that is listened to and respected by central government”.
“He forged the Manchester family, overseeing the establishment of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has overseen game-changing moments for the city, from the award of the 2002 Commonwealth Games to the development of the Northern Powerhouse,” said Hough.
Sir Howard Bernstein receives the Ambassador Awards from Robert Hough
During his time as chief executive, Bernstein played a central role in the economy growth and transformation of the city in the aftermath of the 1996 IRA bombing and overseeing flagship developments such as Spinningfields, NOMA and First Street, along with investments in St John’s, Airport City and the Northern Gateway.
He has also championed the city’s infrastructure development, including the Metrolink tram network and the establishment of Manchester Airport as a PLC, which provided the platform for significant investment.
“This has inevitably boosted not just Manchester’s economy, but the wider North, giving other local governments the impetus to propose their own ideas and support growth,” continued Hough.
“He also led the development of the deal which secured the devolution of all health and social care funding to Greater Manchester, putting in place new partnership arrangements that are improving care outcomes for residents.
“As a result, Manchester’s economy and its business community has never been stronger.”
Although Bernstein retired last week, he shows no signs of slowing down just yet.
He will be joining The University of Manchester this month as an Honorary Professor of Politics and will also become a part-time adviser to the university of government interactions, healthcare delivery, devolution and international links, along with continue as chairman of the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.
Bernstein has also agreed to remain as president of Lancashire County Cricket Club and he is still president of Manchester City FC.
Hough added: “As one senior business leader put it, Sir Howard ‘remains an inspiration to many business people in Manchester, for more than just the team he supports’.
“His legacy is all around us, in decades of successful regeneration projects and infrastructure investment.”
Yesterday it was announced that Bernstein is also joining Deloitte’s strategic advisory team, specialising in health and social care, government reform and devolution and regeneration.
He will advise Deloitte’s public and private sector clients across the UK, Europe, and its global member firm network, and support the firm’s internal learning and development programs.
Sir Howard Bernstein wins The Business Masters 2017 Ambassador Award
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