Profile
Gary has also launched a text donation facility, the proceeds from which will benefit the Lord Mayor’s Charity. Gary said: “I made a career and some good money from writing computer programmes. I loved it. I even do a radio programme on gadgets. Because of my technical know-how I’m the first Lord Mayor in the country to have text giving for my charity. Tat’s me being entrepreneurial and technical. Steve Rotherham (former Lord Mayor and current MP for Liverpool Walton) came from being a brickie to running a construction company. Sharon Sullivan (Gary’s predecessor) cared for her mother and her son whilst she was Lord Mayor. Everyone brings different attributes to the role and each Lord Mayor does a great job in their own way.” From helping to save Parr Street Studios
from demolition in 2006, the business now contains bars, offices and a hotel, along with the recording facilities, and has proven to be a Liverpool success story. I ask Gary, who has won numerous awards for his business acumen, whether he ever gets frustrated attempting to deliver similar results in the often bureaucratic world of politics: “Yes there are structures and accountability and things you’ve got to do, but ‘have I been frustrated by it?’ Not at all. To understand the structure you need to prepare earlier and make sure you know the right people to get things done. I’d love to see more business people get involved in politics. Rather than complain about it from the outside, people should get involved from the inside and make a change.” Gary, who had been working for the civil
service in the Scottish capital, originally moved down to Liverpool to be with his partner Steve. Tirty-two years on his relationship with his civil partner, and the city he calls home, is still going strong. He said: “When I moved here people were saying ‘what’s so special about Liverpool? It’s a bleak and dismal place.’ But it never was. It’s honest, humorous and wonderful. It has a great soul, great music and
great football. You’re always kept grounded and if you’re not you’re brought right back down to earth. Tere’s such a passion in the city.” As a man born into humble conditions in an Edinburgh tenement, Gary hopes his achievements can act as an inspiration to others during his term as Lord Mayor, as he seeks to promote equality issues in a city he describes as “an incredibly diverse and open- minded cosmopolitan centre”. He said: “I am a businessman and an entrepreneur. I tend to be a successful entrepreneur. I take those calculated risks. I own a recording studio, I created a hotel, I created a bar and I’m always looking for opportunities to see what difference we can make. It’s not about making money, but making a difference to the community, to the business community, to the resident’s community, and helping charities. And I’ve always done that in my business.” Gary added: “What I’d like to see is more equality. One of my goals is using the position to make a difference and be a positive representation. I’m gay and I’ve got a civil partner. I’m the first Lord Mayor in the country with a civil partner. I’ve been together with my partner for 32 years and can show people that there may be bigotry but it’s just minimal. I want more people to get involved with equality issues and diversity issues no matter their colour, no matter their faith, no matter their sexuality, no matter their gender and no matter their background.”
Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2013-2014 Tis year’s chosen charities are: Te Linda McCartney Centre, Te Whitechapel Centre, Variety - Te Children’s Charity and Te Michael Causer Foundation JustTextGiving donations: text “LMAY13” followed by “£” and the amount to 70070
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