Tears, laughter and love at Sir Howard Bernstein memorial service

The great and the good of Manchester business, politics and public service came together at a packed Bridgwater Hall yesterday (12 November 2024) to celebrate the life and work of Sir Howard Bernstein, who passed away in June 2024.

Invited guests heard a series of impressive and compelling speeches from those who knew the former chief executive of Manchester City Council best, including his son Jonathan who concluded the service with an emotional tribute to his late father on behalf of the family, many of whom had also recorded powerful stories on video of the person they loved as their Dad, Grandpa and brother.

Eammon Boylan, interim chief executive of Manchester City Council, and a successor to “SHB” opened the speeches with a fulsome account of how Bernstein galvanised the city in the wake of the 1996 IRA bombing of the city centre, and also delivered the 2002 Commonwealth Games amongst his many achievements.

Wearing an impressive scarf in the Bernstein style, Boylan also recounted his successor’s unique way of creating wins for the city out of occasional setbacks.

Former Chancellor George Osborne described him as “the most important, influential, public official, in any city in any part of government, local or national, over the last few decades.” He also noted that the late “civic entrepreneur” gave Osborne time and support when he was sacked from the government and came to Manchester with the idea for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – “the real measure of the man,” he said.

All the tributes noted his passion and obsession with Manchester City Football Club, notably from board director Marty Edelman, who recalled a friendship that started when his client, the Abu Dhabi ruling family, took over the club in 2008, and culminated in their embrace on the pitch in Istanbul in 2023 as they celebrated the Champions League victory together.

“He welcomed me to Manchester with no fanfare, but a pint, and a message that though it may rain, Manchester is always sunny if you know where to look,” he said.

Musical interludes from the brass section of the Halle orchestra, and video tributes from young beneficiaries of the SHB Endowment Fund to which attendees were invited to donate to.