[9] In December 2016 Preston launched a charity restaurant, The Fork in the Road, in Middlesbrough, providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders, recovering addicts and the long term unemployed.

[17] In 2016 Preston took up a voluntary role as a regional business ambassador for the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign ahead of the referendum to decide whether the country should remain or leave the European Union.

[18] After being linked as a potential candidate to become the first Tees Valley Mayor, Preston ruled himself out of the race but warned against the election of a career politician.

[20] His mayoral polices included making Middlesbrough a hunger free town, where emergency food and help was made available to residents seven days a week.

[21] Other notable polices were prioritising the building of social housing on a large scale, crime reduction via a massive roll-out of CCTV and attracting external investment to reverse economic decline.