Andy Burnham leads moving tributes to Sir Howard Bernstein, the architect of modern Manchester

Andy Burnham has led moving tributes from across the worlds of politics and sport to Sir Howard Bernstein, widely credited as the architect of modern Manchester.

During his time at the town hall, Sir Howard helped secure a string of extraordinary breakthroughs for the city, including the post-IRA bomb rebuild, the Commonwealth Games and the regeneration of Hulme. Born into a Jewish family in Cheetham Hill in 1953, he was the elder of two brothers. He joined the town hall in 1971 as an 18-year-old office junior, before working his way up the ladder during a time of huge transformation for the city.

After his family confirmed his death this morning, at the age of 71, leading figures from across the political spectrum paid moving tributes, alongside the chairman of his beloved Manchester City Khaldoon Al Mubarak

READ MORE: Sir Howard Bernstein, Manchester legend, dies

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham led the tributes, saying in a statement: "All of us here in Greater Manchester are deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Howard Bernstein. It is no exaggeration to say that, without his vision and leadership throughout four decades of public service, our city-region would not be the place that it is today. I am privileged to have known and worked with Sir Howard since I was first elected to Parliament in 2001. I had total admiration for his tenacity in representing his city and its residents, and always valued his counsel and friendship during that time.

"Sir Howard was the architect of modern Manchester; the regeneration of the city centre throughout the 1990s owed much to his diligent leadership and ability to build partnerships with the private sector. The success of the Commonwealth Games in 2002 left a legacy that is still being felt today. He was someone who could get along with everyone and make strong connections at all levels. Working alongside Sir Richard Leese, he helped attract billions of pounds of investment while skilfully running one of the largest councils in the UK."

He added: "Our city-region is a poorer place for his loss."

Tory grandee former and chancellor George Osborne said: "So sad Howard Bernstein has died - one of the towering public servants of the last 50 yrs - the father of modern Manchester and my partner on the Northern Powerhouse. He showed everyone else what creative local government working with business can achieve."

Manchester City's chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has paid his own tribute to Sir Howard's "incredible contribution and legacy".

He added: "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. Upon his passing, the many people who have worked with Sir Howard and valued his friendship will 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."

Former Manchester city council leader Sir Richard Leese worked alongside Sir Howard for more than three decades. Together they oversaw the city's transformation from the post-industrial doldrums of the 1980s to the Manchester we see today.

In a moving tribute, Sir Richard said: "Howard was a friend and valued colleague for more than 30 years and I'm devastated he has died. The last time I saw him, a couple of weeks ago, he was still enthusing about the next stages of regeneration in east Manchester, around Ancoats and the Etihad Stadium.

"Manchester is blessed to have had one of the great local government chief executives, someone whose drive, vision and energy was devoted to the city he loved. His impact on Manchester is unrivalled. He is a loss for Manchester and Greater Manchester but even more so for his family and my thoughts are with them at this sad time."

His successor as Manchester City Council chief executive Joanne Roney said in a statement: "Sir Howard was an outstanding public servant who devoted himself to Manchester and made an enormous contribution towards shaping the city we see today. It was a privilege to succeed him as chief executive of this council and dynamic forward-looking city - both of which owe a great deal to his legacy."

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 had boundless energy, strategic vision and a passion for Manchester. In 46 years at the council, serving as chief executive between 1998 and 2017, he played an integral role in the regeneration and economic growth of the city, from the city centre’s resurgence after the 1996 IRA bomb and the 2002 Commonwealth Games and transformation of east Manchester to the creation and extension of Metrolink.

“He was also integral in the establishment of strong working relationships between the 10 Greater Manchester councils, culminating in the establishment of Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2011 and a series of historic devolution agreements which transferred power and resources away from Westminster and Whitehall to our region.

“He leaves an incredible legacy in the transformation of the city. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Following his retirement in 2017, Sir Howard joined the University of Manchester as an Honorary Professor of Politics. Reacting to the news of his passing, the university's president and vice-chancellor, Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: "Having known Howard for many years, I recognised what a remarkable individual he was. I often sought his advice and wise counsel, and I am proud to have had him as a friend."

Labour's Manchester Central candidate Lucy Powell said: "Incredibly sad news. Sir Howard completely changed the fortunes and destiny of the city he loved. From the aftermath of the IRA bomb, to the 2002 Commonwealth games, to the transformation of the city centre through economic and cultural development, his legacy for Manchester is huge. And of course, to the changing fortunes of his beloved Manchester City in their new stadium in East Manchester. He will be hugely missed but never forgotten. Rest in Peace Sir Howard."

Labour's Stalybridge candidate Jonathan Reynolds said: "This is very sad news. Howard was an iconic figure who did so much for Manchester. Few people can say they have shaped a great city as he did. He handled so many significant - and difficult - moments, but he was also great company for a drink and a chat. Peace by upon him."

Oldham West candidate Jim McMahon said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Howard Bernstein. He was everything you’d want from a public servant, worked from the office floor up to Chief Executive of Manchester, and a driving force for the North and devolution. A remarkable man."

Lancashire Cricket Club chairman Andy Anson has issued his own heartfelt tribute to a man he describes as his "mentor, friend and supporter". He said: “I am devastated to hear of Sir Howard’s passing this morning. He has been my mentor, friend and supporter for many years, and I will greatly miss his sage advice, insight and our frequent, fun exchanges. Our differing football allegiances were always a source of entertaining conversation, and I know he would enjoy the fact that he has left us with the blue side of Manchester out in front.

“He made an immeasurable contribution to Lancashire Cricket and his legacy is far-reaching. Many Lancashire supporters will not be aware of his unrelenting work behind the scenes, but he gave the club so much and never asked for anything in return. This work includes major infrastructure projects for the club, and its wider community, the benefits of which will be felt for decades to come. The redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford over the last 15 years would not have happened without him.

“Under Sir Howard’s leadership, the club has overcome considerable challenges and his incredible hard work and dedication during those periods has helped to guide us into a brighter and more sustainable future."

The Bishop of Manchester David Walker said: "So sorry to hear of the death of Sir Howard Bernstein, who did so much to revive Manchester and help it to become the world class city it is today. Shame he did not get longer to enjoy his retirement."

MEN editor Sarah Lester posted on X: "Hard to express what Sir Howard Bernstein did for Manchester. Maybe you just need to look at the skyline. I've never come across anyone with not just the vision, but an unmatched ability to get things done. He put Manchester and its future first. We won't see his like again."