Charity – Manchester Pride

Everyone at Manchester Pride is passionate about celebrating and improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and beyond.

He/Him

Mark Fletcher

Chief Executive Officer

Queer Manc man of colour. When I'm not glued to my desk writing strategies and reading proposals, I like to meet people who share my passion for pushing forward with positive social change. These days I’m more of a family man than a party boy. I choose kindness.

She/Her

Farhana Hemani

Director of Engagement and Development

In between engaging with communities, corporates and organisations to work towards creating a more equal world, I'm a brand new mum to baby Idris, I'm a tea enthusiast and will seek out a bookshop in every new place I go. I also make a pretty serious Dahl.

She/Her

Lizzy Holroyd

Head of Marketing and Growth

I'm pretty good at spinning lots of plates, which is maybe why my specialist skill is creating tasty dishes from a fridge forage the day before a big shop. I’m happiest in my bubble, with my partner and our pet pug, Oscar. I love being outdoors and getting active; running, rock climbing and swimming in the sea.

She/they

Isobel Stainsbury

Senior Engagement Manager

Yet to meet a hat that doesn't suit me, which is a good job because I wear many of them. When I’m not connecting with LGBTQ+ communities across Manchester; I’m a jazz singer, worm farmer, plant parent, coffee addict, clothing designer.

He/They

Christopher Owen

Inclusivity Development Manager

When not implementing a wide variety of queer liberation initiatives across Greater Manchester, I enjoy gentle walks along the canal with my boyfriend, and reading and writing children's fantasy and science fiction stories.

He/Him

Naz Ali

Marketing Manager

I enjoy working at Manchester Pride because I’m always looking for a challenge and to try something new (it’s a Leo thing!). When I’ve not got my head deep in a design brief or marketing plan you’ll probably find me with my besties and my boyfriend on the dance floor or mooching round the Northern Quarter with an iced coffee in hand.

She/her

Abbie Venables

Festival Project Manager

I've got a huge passion for travel and my background is in International Events Management, but all that travel was getting in the way of me pursuing my theatre dreams, so I'm now happily settled in Manchester and proudly taking part in musicals with South Manchester AOS. I’m also a keen reader, Golden Retriever lover and pasta enthusiast!

She/Her

Phoebe Woodall

Digital Content Producer

Neurodivergent Mancunian creative and vegan junk food enthusiast. When I’m not creating vibrant content for Manchester Pride's social media channels, I love jewellery making, dancing, climbing and songwriting. I'm often found with my head buried in Mythology books, and antique shopping is my favourite pastime!

He/Him

Tom Youngman

Assistant to the CEO

I'm a Welshman now channelling his inner Mancunian. Day-to-day I take care of our CEO and work closely with the whole team to keep the ship moving - usually with a baseball cap on my head and a diet coke in hand. Outside of work you can find me under a disco ball, the NewYork NewYork disco ball to be exact.

They/Them

Jaz Warzynska

Community Engagement Officer

Outside of working with a variety of queer communities in and out of Manchester I’m a keen potter, artist and birdwatcher. I can’t think of anything better than going to a Sunday market full of independent artists with my dog Mango on a sunny day.

JOIN THE TEAM

Manchester Pride trustees share ultimate responsibility in the governance and direction of the charity.

He/Him

David McGovern

Chair

I am currently an Executive Director in the NHS following a number of years working in senior positions across sectors. I have been involved in my Local Community and various charities for most of my life and was previously the Chair of the LGBT Foundation for 10 years up to 2016. I live with my husband Darren and love going to the theatre and have a love of shlocky and camp old horror movies. I am a very proud Salfordian and will remind everyone of that every time I meet them.

He/Him

Mick Lawlor

Vice Chair

In my day job, I'm a lawyer and work around the world. I'm also an aspiring writer, love to travel and I'm a proud dog dad. I decided to join the Board after attending several Prides and hope to help the Charity increase its impact.

She/Her

Temi Adebayo

Trustee

She/Her

Jenny Harrison

Trustee

By day I am a Finance Director for a telecoms business based in Salford. I live in South Manchester with my fiancée and our Border Terrier, Betty. I love travel, adventures, and I am proud to represent queer women in leadership on the Board of Trustees for Manchester Pride.

She/her

Michelle Tomlin-Flack

Trustee

I have supported people to gain skills and get back into employment for as far back as I can remember. I have loved Manchester Pride for many years and met my partner there 14 years ago!

I am passionate about equity & inclusivity and joined the Board of Trustees in 2024 to share my skills to a fantastic charity that supports the community all year round.

He/him

Daniel Fulvio

Trustee

Daniel Fulvio is Deputy Director of Audiences (Community) at Rambert, the UK’s contemporary dance company, where he leads the UK’s contemporary dance company’s learning and participation programme. Prior to his work in the arts, Daniel was an award-winning arts and culture journalist and his work has featured in the Guardian and the Times. He was also Deputy Editor of Attitude magazine.

She/Her

Sophie Robinson

Trustee

Originally from a seaside town on the northwest coast, I moved to Manchester as a student. Its amazing diversity won me over and I never left. I now work as an Admissions Manager at a local university and I love introducing a new cohort of students to all that Manchester has to offer.

In my spare time you’ll find me looking for new coffee shops, strolling in the nearby peak district, or making the most of Manchester’s music scene going to all the pop-punk and country gigs I can.

I joined the board in 2024 to be more connected to the queer community and to actively support the Charity in reaching its goals to the benefit of the community both here and beyond.

If you can't find an answer to your question, why not take a look at our full FAQs or get in touch.

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When does Manchester Pride Festival take place?

The Manchester Pride Festival 2025 takes place from 22nd - 25th August.

How much money from every Manchester Pride Festival ticket goes towards the Community Fund?

£2.50 from every pledge band purchased goes directly to the Manchester Pride Community Fund to help LGBTQ+ good causes in Greater Manchester.

Do I have to pay to enter the Gay Village over Manchester Pride Festival?

Manchester Pride Festival offers a packed programme of events over the August Bank Holiday weekend, such as the Manchester Pride Parade, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR, Superbia and more. All of these are free with the exception of the Gay Village Party which is ticketed.

Manchester Pride is a charity and the cost of a Gay Village Party ticket helps us to deliver a safe, community party-as-protest celebration for the whole community to enjoy, as well as funding our free programme of events over the weekend. Vitally, though, your ticket helps us to platform and support the careers of queer artists and performers.

You can see how every penny of your ticket is spent here, and remember that every ticket includes a £2.50 ring-fenced donation to the Manchester Pride Community Fund - an initiative that supports and enriches grassroots LGBTQ+ organisations and projects in Greater Manchester. Find out more about some of the incredible projects that you helped us fund in 2023.

Please note that some Village venues will be operating a No Pledge Band No Service policy, so purchasing a ticket allows you to experience everything the Gay Village has to offer over the weekend.

How can I apply to take part in the Parade?

Parade applications aren't currently open for 2025, if you're interested in getting involved please email info@manchesterpride.com to get added to the waitlist.

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