ANDREW STOKES

Who are you?
Andrew Stokes

What do you do?
Chairman, Manchester Pride Ltd

Chief Executive, Marketing Manchester (the agency responsible for promoting Manchester on a national and international stage)

How did you get involved in Manchester Pride?
Have been involved in Manchester Pride in its various incarnations, since 2001. I originally got involved because I was interested to help make it the best event possible. I also felt that it provided an opportunity to showcase Manchester’s varied LGBT communities and the potential therein.

How long have you been a Board member?
I was involved in the VBA committee that was set up to deliver the event in 2002 and have been Chairman of the committee since 2003.

What are your aspirations for Manchester Pride?
One of the unique things about Manchester Pride is that it grew from the community as a fundraising event. My aspiration is that is should remain true to these original ideas, whilst still becoming the best showcase possible, for all the things we Mancunians (by choice, not by birth, in my case) know it can be.