British Armenian Vicken Couligian appointed new chair of trustees at Manchester Pride

It's with great pleasure I'd like to share this news with you. An indication of well deserved respect in the community. Well done, Vicken !!

@davechapman: so thrilled to know Vicken, who is going to be Chair of Manchester Pride 2011, my fave Pride event :) congratulations to him! @unzippedblog

@unzippedblog: @davechapman @jamead1981 Fab news. Well done, Vicken!! I could not make it to to Manchester Pride 2010 but will have to make it next year ;)
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Manchester Pride appoints new Chair of Trustees

James Sanders

PinkPaper.com

15 December 2010

Vicken Couligian has been appointed as the new chair of trustees at Manchester Pride following a recent Annual General Meeting.

Couligian will replace Andrew Stokes who has recently stepped down after eight years.

He has volunteered for Manchester Pride since 2005 and joined the board of trustees in 2008. He is also on the board for Gaydio and is a mentor for the Albert Kennedy Trust. Vicken currently works for Nexus Solicitors in the Personal Injury department.

Andrew Stokes, former chair of Manchester Pride, said: “As Manchester Pride approaches its 21st birthday I feel this is the perfect time for Vicken to take the reins as the festival moves forward. I've had the privilege of seeing Pride grow into an event that attracts over 45,000 people whilst remaining true to its roots – a festival that raises money for local LGBT and HIV communities. I’m confident that with Vicken’s passion and drive Pride will continue to grow as a world-class event.”

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Vicken on board as our new chair. He’s made an outstanding contribution to Manchester Pride and the LGBT community over the years, and I’m very much looking forward to working closely with him in the future.”

Couligian, chair of Manchester Pride, said: “I would like to thank Andrew Stokes for all his hard work over the last eight years. His will be a very tough act to follow. It’s a great honour to take on this position and I’m really looking forward to continuing my work at Manchester Pride.”

He will head up the board of trustees which includes: Clare Simpson (marketing director for the Royal Exchange Theatre), Elaine Clarke (chief executive for Baa Bar Group Plc), John Ryan (managing editor of BBC Radio Manchester), Les Pratt (producer for BBC Radio 3), Steph Kay (owner of Vanilla bar), Tim Pickstone (chief executive of a UK local councilors organisation), and Michael Pollard (operations director at Taurus bar).