Sir Howard Bernstein joined the City Council as Junior Clerk, rising to become the Council’scChief Executive in 1998. Following the terrorist bombing of the City Centre in 1996 he was appointed Chief Executive of Manchester Millennium Limited, the public/private sector Task Force set up by the Government and the City Council to oversee the redesign and rebuilding of the City Centre, a task successfully delivered to critical acclaim on time and on budget.
Sir Howard is known for his business acumen; for forging partnerships with the City’s key players; and for successfully attracting millions of pounds into the City. He played a key role in the regeneration of Hulme, the first area in the UK to attract City Challenge status, and subsequent area regeneration initiatives, most recently in East Manchester; in major projects including The Bridgewater Hall, the Velodrome and the Arena, and the new International Convention Centre; the City of Manchester Stadium and SportCity Complex and City Art Gallery.

Since the mid 1980’s, he has been Clerk to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and took a lead in introducing Metrolink, the UK’s first on-street public transport system which is hoped to be expanded further across the conurbation shortly.
He was involved in the establishment of Manchester Airport as a plc in the mid-1980’s and has driven the expansion of the company into the next stage of commercial and physical development.
Sir Howard was instrumental in securing Manchester as Host City for the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002, which was the largest multi-sport event ever hosted by the UK and the most successful Games ever.

Regular business surveys of the top 100 financial figures in the NW consistently rate him one of the most influential. Recognition of Sir Howard's contribution to Manchester includes being awarded an honorary degree by UMIST in 2003, Manchester University in 2004, Manchester Metropolitan University in 2005 and Mancunian of the Year also in 2003. Sir Howard was knighted for his services to Manchester in the New Year’s Honours 2003. The Financial Times group FDI named Sir Howard as their European personality of the year 2004.