Andy Preston
investor; writer and broadcaster; former elected mayor of Middlesbrough

Andy Preston served as independent Mayor of Middlesbrough from 2019 to 2023, where he pursued pro-growth agenda alongside a tough approach to law and order. He led the rollout of mass CCTV to deter crime and championed a “hunger-free town” with seven-day emergency food access for vulnerable residents. Under his leadership, Middlesbrough became ranked by the Financial Times as the 3rd best small city in Europe for investment.

Now a prominent political commentator, Andy appears regularly on national television and radio and has written for numerous nationals including The Times, The Telegraph, The Spectator, The Express, LBC, and City AM.  A long-standing philanthropist, he founded charities Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and the national CEO Sleepout movement to tackle homelessness and poverty – each of which have raised over £6m.

Andy is married with two sons and previously worked as a trader and fund manager.

Follow Andy on X: @centre_right_

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