Cllr Bev Craig has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles III in the New Year Honours list 2026 for service to local government.
She is named in a list that recognises the impact recipients have made in their communities and the lives of the people they serve.
Cllr Craig has dedicated her adult life to public service, beginning a career in local government after graduating from the University of Manchester, before moving to higher education and trade union roles.
First elected to public office as a councillor in the Burnage ward in 2011, she has held several roles at Manchester City Council, including executive member for adult social care and health through the Covid-19 global pandemic, and latterly as Deputy Leader.
Cllr Craig was named Leader of Manchester City Council in December 2021 – the first woman to take up the post – overseeing the city’s ambitious vision to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, tackle poverty and homelessness, increase investment into communities across the city and improve outcomes for young people. She oversees major regeneration in the city centre and neighbourhoods across the city and has led an ambitious new housing strategy and delivery programme to meet demand for genuinely affordable homes in Manchester, building record numbers of council and social housing for local residents.
At a national level, Cllr Craig is vice-chair of the Local Government Association and Leader of the association’s Labour Group – representing Labour Groups across England.
In Greater Manchester, she holds a range of responsibilities on behalf of Manchester on the Combined Authority, including as leader with responsibility for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth.
Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “To receive on OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.
“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home. Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”