Sir Howard Bernstein to step down as Lancashire Cricket President
Lancashire Cricket can confirm that after ten years as President, Sir Howard Bernstein will step down at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, as his tenure comes to an end.
Sir Howard – who was named President in April 2014 – has played a vital role in the £75 million redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford over the past 15 years into a world class, multi-purpose stadium. The latest new development at the venue was last year’s 100-bed extension to the four-star on-site Hilton Garden Inn, which now boasts a total of 250 bedrooms.
He has also been instrumental in the multi-million-pound Farington Project – working alongside Lancashire County Council - that will provide Lancashire Cricket with a second ground in the heart of the county. It will become a Centre of Excellence for women’s cricket in the North-West, further developing the Club’s pathway and age-group system and encouraging the growth of cricket in the region. In addition to providing elite training facilities for the Club, it will also be made available to the local community, including for local cricket clubs and schools.
The long-term former Chief Executive of Manchester City Council (1998-2017) and former Head of Paid Service for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (2011-2017), Sir Howard is best known as one of the chief architects of Manchester’s resurgence over the last four decades. He is credited with Manchester’s rebirth following the 1996 IRA bomb, whilst he has also played other critical roles within the city, including bringing the 2002 Commonwealth Games to Manchester and the expansion of the Metrolink.
Sir Howard – who was knighted for his services to Manchester in 2003 – provided the Club with strong continuity and leadership after the sad passing of former Chair, David Hodgkiss in March 2020.
Sir Howard Bernstein, said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to serve Lancashire Cricket in the role of President for the last ten years. I owe so many people my gratitude for their support over the years, it is impossible to mention them all here.
“The Club has always had a special place in my heart, ever since I first came to the ground and watched Garry Sobers’ West Indies side take on England all those years back. I’ve been lucky enough to witness some iconic players wearing the Red Rose and look forward to the years ahead supporting the Club, from slightly further afield.
“I’m hugely proud of everything we’ve achieved as a collective over the past decade and I’d like to thank all my fellow Board members - both past and present - for their hard work and support.
“We also have the most dedicated and loyal employees throughout Emirates Old Trafford who are hugely committed to Lancashire Cricket. I have the highest regard for all of them.
“I would also like to thank the Members for their support during my time on the Board. We are a Members’ Club and whilst the landscape of global cricket continues to evolve and change at pace, please be re-assured that this will not change. We’re nothing without our Members.
“The future looks very positive for Lancashire Cricket and I’m excited to see what comes next. Whilst there will be challenges, I believe we’ve got the right people in place to ensure the Club continue to lead the way as a force in world cricket.
“For me, it has just been an enormous privilege to have been President of this famous Club”.
Lancashire Cricket Chair, Andy Anson, added: “On behalf of the Board, Executive Team and our Members, I would like to thank Sir Howard for his long-standing and dedicated service as Club President, a role that we know he cherished as a lifelong fan of the Red Rose.
"Under Sir Howard’s leadership, the Club has overcome considerable challenges throughout the last decade, and his incredible hard work and dedication during those periods has helped to guide us into a brighter and more sustainable future.
“He has made an immeasurable contribution to Lancashire Cricket and his legacy is far-reaching. It includes major infrastructure projects for the Club, and its wider community, the benefits of which will be felt for decades to come. This will ensure that Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford continue to lead the way and are at the forefront of domestic and international cricket for the future years ahead.
“The redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford over the last 15 years would not have happened without him and he’s played an instrumental role in the development of the Club’s second ground at Farington. It’s another great example of public and private sector collaboration where Sir Howard has such unparalleled experience.
“I have known Sir Howard personally for many years and I will miss his reassuring presence around the Board table. I would like to wish him all the very best and look forward to seeing him back at Emirates Old Trafford very soon."