Who is Greater Manchester's new Mayor Bev Craig?
Bev Craig succeeds Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester's mayor, but what do we know about her?
Having grown up on a council estate in Belfast, Craig moved to Manchester in 2003 at the age of 18 to study politics and modern history at the University of Manchester.
After graduating, she began her career in local government. She went on to work in higher education and then at a national trade union, leading on social care.
Craig was first elected as a councillor for the Burnage ward on Manchester City Council in 2011.
She was executive member for adult social care and health throughout the Covid-19 global pandemic, before becoming deputy council leader in 2021.
Craig soon took over as leader when Sir Richard Leese stood down after 25 years in the role.
Her promotion made her the local authority's first female boss and the council's first openly gay leader.
The 41-year-old has also held the role of deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List in 2025 for services to local government.
