A definition of a safe pair of hands swaps Salford for Manchester and a £220,982 salary
It was widely anticipated and now it's been confirmed.
Tom Stannard, the present Chief Executive of Salford City Council is to become Manchester’s new Chief Executive in the new year. This follows the sequence of Sir Howard Bernstein, Joanne Roney and the interim Chief Executive Eammon Boylan. He will receive a salary of £220,982.
Given his local knowledge and contacts the appointment provides stability and a security
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig writes: ‘After a rigorous recruitment process, our personnel committee today will recommend appointing Tom Stannard as the next Chief Executive of Manchester City Council.
‘Some of you may know him already from his current role as Chief Executive of Salford City Council or from his various regional and national roles relating to areas such as inclusive growth and health and social care.
‘I need hardly tell you how critical this role is not just to the Council but the city as a whole and as partners in the collective endeavour to build a thriving city where growth benefits everyone and we believe Tom is the ideal fit. He is ambitious for our city and passionate about Manchester’s place on the global stage just as much as delivering in our communities.’
Stannard’s record is impressive. This is the official description.
‘He has been Chief Executive of neighbouring Salford City Council for the past four years, overseeing achievements including the transformative regeneration of Salford, an ambitious council housebuilding programme and high-performing children’s services. He has more than 27 years of experience in local government including senior posts in Oldham, Wakefield, Blackburn with Darwen and London boroughs.
‘Tom is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, public service reform and delivering inclusive growth and currently holds the lead CEO brief for Greater Manchester in the economy, business and international portfolio.
‘He is a Chartered Surveyor, Chair of the UK Institute of Economic Development, Commissioner for the UK Living Wage Foundation and National Spokesman for Health and Social Care for SOLACE (The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers.)’
Stannard says: “This is an exceptional role in an incredible city. I’ve spent a significant part of my career living and working in Greater Manchester and have a deep commitment to the city and its people. I’m eager to start work on the next chapter alongside Councillor Craig and all elected members.
“Manchester is a city which is competing on a global stage and successfully attracting investment, jobs and visitors and it’s important that we continue to maximise those strengths. Just as crucial is that the growth generated benefits the whole city, and I know that’s something the Council is already working on and determined to achieve.
“While being unapologetically ambitious for the city’s global future, I won’t lose focus on the need to deliver excellent day-to-day services for Manchester people in the here and now.”
Apparently Stannard was the unanimous choice of the personnel committee.
Given his local knowledge and contacts the appointment provides stability and security. Many civic and business leaders will maintain confidence in the management of the City of Manchester. Stannard defines a 'safe pair of hands'.
He knows the city, the region, their structures and enterprises and the challenges they face intimately. Of course, this is Salford’s loss but that pill should be sweetened by the simple fact the city’s neighbour will have a chief executive who will want to work closely across the River Irwell. The salary package is on the high side for a city chief executive in the UK but then again in many ways, given Manchester's national influence and profile, this is one of the most important chief executive roles in the country. All in all Stannard is the logical, sensible and right choice for such an important job.
