Cllr Bev Craig

Bev Craig became Leader of Manchester City Council in December 2021. First elected in 2011 as a Burnage Councillor, she held a range of responsibilities on Manchester City Council, including serving for 4 years as Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, then as Deputy Leader overseeing resources, capital programmes, social value and digital.

Born and raised council estate just outside of Belfast, she was the first in her family to go to university, moving to Manchester in 2003 to study and making it her home. After graduating from the University of Manchester she began her career in local government, before working in higher education and then a national trade union leading on social care. Alongside working full time, Bev completed postgraduate degrees at Warwick Business School and the University of Manchester.

As Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing she led the city of Manchester’s COVID health and community response, managing the crisis and focusing on a more equal recovery, and has championed the City’s work to become a Living Wage City.

As Leader her focus is on Manchester’s ambitious COVID recovery, the importance of building a more inclusive and sustainable economy, children and young people, equalities, housing and zero carbon. She is also Greater Manchester Combined Authority portfolio lead for Digital and Education, Skills, Work and Apprenticeships.

Outside of politics she enjoys sports and being outdoors, music, culture and enjoying all that Manchester has to offer.