Mayor of Greater Manchester - Andy Burnham launches leadership team

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

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Newly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has announced the leadership team which will work alongside him to "build a new future for Greater Manchester".

Manchester City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, has been appointed Deputy Mayor and will lead on business and economy issues.

Former Home Office Minister Baroness Beverley Hughes has been nominated by the Mayor to become Greater Manchester’s first Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

Bury Council Leader, Rishi Shori has been chosen to become portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion. Councillor Shori will work with young people across Greater Manchester to give them a voice and ensure all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “I am committed to delivering on my promises to the people of Greater Manchester and a strong leadership team is key to achieving that.

"Sir Richard Leese and Beverley Hughes bring a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to their respective roles. I look forward to working with them to make Greater Manchester the best place to live, work, grow up and get on in life.

“Young people are at the heart of my plan for Greater Manchester and deserve a strong voice in the decisions that ultimately affect them. By appointing Rishi Shori as the portfolio holder for Young People and Social Cohesion and raising this role to become part of my leadership team, I am inviting every young person to work with us to ensure they have the opportunities they need to get on in life.

"People are talking about stable leadership. Greater Manchester has had it for the last 20 years and with this leadership team we will have it going forward. In testing times Greater Manchester will need its best team on the pitch and that is what today's announcement achieves."

Beverley Hughes Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime said: “I’m honoured and excited to be given this opportunity to work alongside the Mayor, Chief Constable, and local people to make our communities safer and stronger. This role will not be without challenge, not least with continued budget pressures and increasing demand on our police, but we have a strong foundation on which to build on.”

Deputy Mayor for business and economy Sir Richard Leese said: “I’m pleased to be taking on this role and look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead as Greater Manchester begins a new era. As Deputy Mayor I will continue to work with the business community and encourage investment in Greater Manchester to generate more growth, jobs and opportunities for people across our city-region.”

Portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion Rishi Shori said: “For Greater Manchester to succeed we must invest in our young people and work together to ensure everyone can get a good education, decent job and enjoy the best quality of life. I’m looking forward to shaping this new role and working with our young people to shape and build our city-region.”

The nomination of the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime will go before the Police and Crime Panel in due course. The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime be responsible for working with Greater Manchester Police, local authorities, criminal justice partners and local people to transform policing services, make our streets and homes safer, and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.