Councillor Garry Bridges was elected Leader of Manchester City Council in September 2026, having previously served as Deputy Leader.

During his time on the Council, Councillor Bridges has held responsibility for a number of key portfolios, including children's services, housing and human resources. He has represented Manchester on a range of regional and national bodies and has played a leading role in delivering strategic priorities across the city.

His work has focused on regeneration, culture, community cohesion and major capital programmes, helping to support Manchester's continued growth and development while improving outcomes for local residents.

During his time as Executive Member for Children and Schools, Garry oversaw significant improvements in children's services, championing initiatives including support for free school meals during the pandemic, council tax exemptions for care leavers, and Manchester's Year of the Child, which helped secure UNICEF Child Friendly City status for the city.