Tom Stannard named new Chief Executive of Manchester City Council

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're 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.

The Council’s Personnel Committee will be asked to recommend Tom Stannard for appointment when it meets at 2.15pm today (Wednesday 16 October.) The appointment will then need to be ratified at a special Council meeting on Tuesday 29 October.