Lord Shipley is an adviser to HM Government on Cities and the former (Liberal Democrat) Leader of Newcastle City Council.

Lord Shipley was Leader of Newcastle City Council until 1 September 2010, where he had been a Liberal Democrat councillor for 34 years. He has been a working member of the House of Lords since July 2010.

He was born and brought up in Whitby, North Yorkshire and was educated at local schools. He graduated in History from University College London in 1969.

He worked in brand management with Procter and Gamble Ltd on graduation. He then joined The Open University where he worked for 34 years, retiring from the position of Regional Director for the North of England and the European Union in 2005.

He was first elected as councillor to Newcastle City Council in 1975, becoming Leader of the Liberal Group in 1978, then Leader of the Opposition in 1988 for ten years before later becoming Council Leader in 2006.