Business leaders pay tribute to Manchester’s top civil servant

MANCHESTER’S business community has come out in force to pay its repects and thanks Sir Howard Bernstein for all he has achieved for the city in his role as  chief executive of Manchester City Council, follwoing yesterday’s news that he is to retire in spring 2017.

Sir Howard joined the council as a junior clerk in 1971 and has been in the top job since 1998.

As Richard Bell, practice senior partner at Deloitte in the North West, said: “During his 45 years in the council, Sir Howard has been the driving force for Manchester, and has played a significant role in putting the city on the map.

“Having rebuilt the city following the IRA bombing in 1996, his vision and leadership has drawn attention from national government, and he has single-handedly influenced game-changing moments for the city, from the award of the Commonwealth Games to the development of the Northern Powerhouse.”

He added: “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. As a result, Manchester’s business community has never been stronger, and is in an excellent position to capitalise on future opportunities.”

Bell added that Sir Howard, well-known for being a die-hard Manchestre City FC supporter, “remains an inspiration to many business people in Manchester, for more than just the team he supports!”

Matt Wells, Manchester site executive at global investments company BNY Mellon, said: “We have much to thank Sir Howard for. Manchester is today an immeasurably more successful, confident and attractive city in which to do business than it was in 1998, when he was appointed chief executive of the council.

“He and Sir Richard Leese have for almost two decades formed a formidable team, helping to rebuild the city. A crucial part of this has been ensuring Manchester is one of the most business-friendly cities in the UK.

“This was central to BNY Mellon’s decision to choose Manchester for a Global Delivery Centre in 2004 and it remains a key reason why we continue to invest here.

“Most importantly, Sir Howard’s legacy is Manchester’s future. The city is growing, creating jobs and attracting investment, and there is a real feel-good factor. He retires knowing that all the hard work of the past two decades puts us in the best possible position for the future.”

Chris Oglesby, chief executive of property company Bruntwood echoed this sentiment. He said: “Howard’s impact on every aspect of this city’s development has been profound, and his articulation of the role of cities in leading economic growth has influenced governments and policy-makers nationally and internationally. His legacy is all around us, in decades of successful regeneration projects and infrastructure investment.

“But perhaps his greatest legacy is the deep and shared belief that we can do more in partnership than by working separately. He forged the Manchester family – a habit of making common cause which works across all parts of both the public and the private sector. That way of working is deep in the City’s DNA, lies behind its greatest achievements, and will be the key to its continued success. For all of this, and more, we are very grateful and will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition.”

Rob Cotton, chief executive of listed IT business NCC Group, said: “Strong leadership isn’t something typically associated with civil servants but Sir Howard is not your typical civil servant.

“He has been an incredible ambassador for the city, but crucially, always focused on delivering results. The projects and initiatives that he has spearheaded over 45 years are testament to his work ethic, vision and unrelenting drive which have successfully established Manchester as a modern, global, forward-thinking city.

“The decision to headquarter NCC Group in this great city was down to many of the facilities and features that would not have existed with Sir Howard’s input and we are extremely proud to be part of the city that he has developed.”

Carl Williams, North West managing partner at accountancy firm Grant Thornton, concluded: “Over more than four decades Sir Howard has dedicated himself to the city of Manchester. His impact in leading the transformation of the city region’s economy has been incredible.  His ability to engage with the business community and to forge partnerships nationally and internationally – most notably in New York and Abu Dhabi – has been outstanding.

“We wish Sir Howard all the best in the next chapter of his career and we look forward to working with the new leadership at the Town Hall.”