Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Advisor to Andy Burnham, resigned on 29 January due to allegations of financial misconduct by his company.
Allegations of financial misconduct stem from a “misleading” application by his company, Primary Event Solutions, to the Art Council England’s Covid Recovery Fund.
Sacha Lord formally resigned from his role but continues to insist that there is no substantive evidence of claims that Primary Event Solutions attempted to “deliberately mislead” the Arts Council.
This comes after online publication The Mill reported on these allegations in May 2024, prompting investigations by both the Arts Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Over £400,000 was awarded to Primary Event Solutions in 2021 under a funding scheme that aimed to financially bolster cultural institutions during COVID.
After conducting a formal investigation into Lord’s application, the Arts Council has formally requested that all money awarded be returned.
In a statement made by Lord, he acknowledges findings of “unintended oversights” and will “step back from my role in Greater Manchester”.
Students will know him as the co-founder of both the Parklife Festival and the Warehouse Project, though he stepped down from involvement in both events in July 2024.
Mayor Andy Burnham and Sacha Lord have previously held a joint event, focussed on student safety, in the Manchester Metropolitan Students’ Union.
Lord has also interviewed with The Mancunion in the past to discuss drug testing policy, tackling spiking and his support for Reclaim the Night.
He pledged £10,000 to Reclaim the Night 2022 which saw money donated to Manchester Rape Crisis and Galop.
You can read the full The Mill investigation here.
