Tom Stannard named new Chief Executive designate

Manchester City Council has named Tom Stannard as its new permanent Chief Executive
to lead the delivery of the city’s strategy for the decade ahead.

He will become only the third Chief Executive to take the reins in more than a quarter of a
century in a city which prides itself on stability. Tom was selected following a rigorous
recruitment process.

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.)

Tom joins one of the best performing councils in the country at a crucial time as
Manchester presses ahead with its ambition to be world-class city with top class services.

It is also a pivotal moment for the Council as it gears up to bring forward and oversee the
delivery of the 2025-2035 Our Manchester Strategy, which will guide the city for the next 10
years. The new vision will go further on the achievements of the current strategy to ensure
economic growth that benefits everyone, including through the city’s ambitious Making
Manchester Fairer, housebuilding and zero carbon programmes.

Leader of Manchester City Council Councillor Bev Craig said: “This is a big job and we
know the Chief Executive of Manchester is one of the most coveted positions in local
government. That’s why I’m delighted that we appointing Tom Stannard – someone who
shares our pride in the city and ambition to deliver for our residents.

“Tom was our unanimous choice in a highly competitive selection process. He is a
nationally respected voice in local government with an impressive CV and a track record of
delivery across regeneration, inclusive growth and improving council services. We were
impressed by his energy and passion, his clear understanding of the opportunities and
challenges facing Manchester and his ideas for the future. He is already a well-known
figure in Greater Manchester and beyond and we are confident that he will help us improve
the city over the next decade.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside him and we can’t wait to welcome him as our
new chief executive.”

Tom Stannard said: “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 Cllr 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.”

Tom is expected to join the Council early in the New Year. Eamonn Boylan OBE will remain
in post as Interim Chief Executive until then.