Tributes have been paid to Sir Howard Bernstein, widely credited with regenerating Manchester, who has died at the age of 71.
Bernstein began his career at Manchester town hall in 1971, eventually serving as chief executive of Manchester city council for 20 years, from 1998 until his retirement in March 2017.
He is credited with spearheading the city’s 21st-century renaissance and was knighted for his services to Manchester in 2003.
During his time at the town hall he helped secure a string of breakthroughs for the city, including the rebuild after the IRA bombing in 1996, the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and the associated regeneration and development, as well as overseeing commercial, transport, and cultural projects such as Spinningfields, the expansion of Metrolink, the Bridgewater Hall and Home.
The council leader, Bev Craig, said: “Sir Howard served Manchester with remarkable distinction. He will be remembered as a driving force in the city’s turnaround from post-industrial decline to the growing, confident and forward-looking city we see today.
“He leaves an incredible legacy in the transformation of the city. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
A lifelong supporter of Manchester City FC, Bernstein served as its honorary president. He was also the president of Lancashire Cricket for a decade, and after retiring from public life, became an honorary professor of politics at the University of Manchester.
In a tribute, the Manchester City chair, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said: “Sir Howard Bernstein’s contribution and dedication to the city of Manchester throughout his life cannot be overstated. His vision and foresight to use sports-led regeneration to reinvigorate the city was unquestionably the catalyst which set Manchester on the path to becoming the successful city that it is today.
“His love for football, and his passion for Manchester City in particular, was clear for all to see. The club has valued his guidance over many years, allowing it to support the continuation of his drive to revitalise east Manchester and further develop the Etihad Campus.
Al Mubarak said many people who worked with him would reflect on his incredible life of public service. “There can be no doubt that Manchester’s status as a leading post-industrial city is, in large part, attributable to Sir Howard. His family, friends and all who knew him can rightly be proud of his remarkable achievements, and it is beholden on us to continue to build on that legacy.”
The family notice said: “Sir Howard’s legacy shaped Manchester as the city we know, and he will forever be a part of Manchester’s history. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the city he passionately served.”
