Salford City Council has appointed a new chief executive to replace Jim Taylor who will retire at the end of January 2021.
Tom Stannard, the current Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth at Wakefield Council, will take on the role from 1st February 2021 under the elected City Mayor, Paul Dennett.
Tom joined Wakefield City Council in 2018 and has responsibility for a wide range of the Council’s regeneration, economy and place services. He has been closely involved in securing and delivering the £1.8BN West Yorkshire devolution deal, and leading major programmes of growth and regeneration across the region, focusing on job creation, skills and progression, housing delivery and city centre regeneration. Tom has pioneered approaches to inclusive economic growth throughout his 23 year career, alongside leading improvement programmes in children’s services, health and wellbeing partnerships, and many areas of public service reform.
Tom was previously Director of Economy and Skills at Oldham Council in Greater Manchester, leading a wide range of the Council’s economic regeneration, skills and employment programmes and services, working across Greater Manchester, and was heavily involved in the devolution and city deal agenda.
Tom is a former Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Learning and Work Institute, and his local government experience also includes high performing councils across the UK in Blackburn with Darwen and in the London Boroughs.
Tom is married with two children. He is a Chartered Surveyor, sits on the board of the UK Institute of Economic Development and the Centre for local Economic Strategies (CLES), and is a National Spokesperson for Economic Prosperity and Housing for SOLACE, the UK local government CEOs professional body.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “I’m delighted to announce that Tom has been appointed chief executive here in Salford, to build on the achievements and great work under Jim Taylor’s leadership. I’m really looking forward to working with Tom and would like to take this opportunity to also thank Jim for his dedication and passion over the past six years and wish him the best in his retirement.
“In Salford we have seen unprecedented private and public investment in the city in the past ten years and our focus remains on reducing inequalities and creating a better, fairer city for all. Whilst we work through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic we must continue to support resilience.
“People are at the heart of our priorities and we want to make sure that every resident benefits from the growth and success of the city. It was very important we found the right person to provide leadership to create inclusive social and economic growth.
“Here at the council we have a culture that is inclusive, values and welcomes diversity, fosters innovation, flexibility, learning, and empowerment. From the interview process it was clear that Tom’s leadership will be invaluable to take us on the next step of this journey.”
Tom Stannard said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as the new chief executive at Salford City Council, and energized at the opportunity to return to Greater Manchester and join Salford’s City Mayor Paul Dennett leading one of the most progressive and high achieving City Councils in the country
“I have been so impressed with the Council’s positive community focused culture, and I’m looking forward to joining the City Mayor, councillors, staff and partners to support communities in the city, fight through the COVID-19 pandemic and continue the journey towards an inclusive economy, with affordable housing and well-paid jobs.
“It is a hugely exciting role and I cannot wait to get started.”
Tom’s appointment is subject to ratification at a special meeting of the council on Wednesday.
