Manchester City Council chief executive Joanne Roney CBE is to return to her native Birmingham to take up the newly-created post of managing director of its council.
Joanne has been chief executive of Manchester City Council since April 2017 when she became the first woman to serve as the council’s top officer.
During her time as chief executive, Children’s Services – which had been classed as inadequate by Ofsted back in 2014 – were transformed to the extent that by 2022 they were rated ‘Good.’ Adult care services were also improved, with an increased focus on early help and prevention. The Council’s determination to put children and young people at the heart of its services was recognised in 2022 when it was accepted onto UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme.
Joanne also presided over the council’s response to two very different crises – the 22 May 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.
As part of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Joanne has also served as its lead officer on Skills, Education and Work for Greater Manchester.
Joanne was named MJ (Municipal Journal) Chief Executive of the Year in 2022, the same year Manchester City Council was named Council of the Year by Local Government Chronicle.
Joanne said: “I’ve loved my time in Manchester. It’s a wonderful city and I’m proud of what – together with colleagues, partners and the city’s political leadership – we’ve been able to achieve here. Whoever follows me as chief executive is inheriting an incredible role alongside a talented and dedicated leadership team.
“I might be an adopted Mancunian, and proud of it, but I’m a native Brummie and this was the only role which could have tempted me away. I began my career as an apprentice at Birmingham City Council at the age of 16 so the prospect of concluding it there as managing director, and helping the place where I grew up and my family still live rise to its current challenges, was a compelling one.”
