Deloitte has appointed Sir Howard Bernstein as a strategic advisor, a week after he stepped down as chief executive of Manchester City Council.

He will specialise in health and social care, government reform and devolution, and regeneration.

Bernstein had been chief executive of Manchester City Council since 1998, where he was greatly involved in the redevelopment and economic overhaul of the city in the wake of the 1996 IRA bombing. He first joined the town hall in 1971 as an office junior.

Bernstein also recently announced his appointment to the University of Manchester as an honorary professor of politics and advisor to the chancellor and president.

Deloitte’s managing partner for regional markets Richard Bell commented: “Sir Howard has a stellar reputation in local government and has shown exceptional leadership that our whole firm and our clients will look forward to learning from.”

Bernstein said: "Deloitte provides counsel to its clients on sectors that I am deeply passionate about, such as healthcare, local and regional authority development and devolution, and cities economic and infrastructure regeneration.

“I’m therefore delighted to be able to serve Deloitte’s global network of clients who are driving reform and inclusive growth across the UK, Europe and beyond.”