Bury Council to appoint Geoff Little OBE as new chief executive

The new chief executive of Bury Council is set to be Geoff Little OBE, currently deputy chief executive of Manchester City Council.

Mr Little’s appointment has been agreed by the council’s human resources panel and is due to be approved at the annual council meeting on Wednesday (16 May).

Mr Little joined Manchester City Council in 1996 where he was head of corporate performance and then assistant chief executive with responsibility for performance improvement and human resources, becoming deputy chief executive in 2009.

Over the past few years Geoff has had responsibility for strategic development of children's, adults’ and education services, and supporting and implementing the devolution of health and social care in Greater Manchester.

These roles have given Geoff opportunities to work with all of the council’s services and with its public, private and voluntary sector partners.

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Geoff is set to become our new chief executive. He has a track record of delivering in one of the largest local authorities in Europe, having worked for ten years alongside the likes of Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Richard Leese. He brings a wealth of experience which he can draw on to lead improvements in council services, grow our business economy and tackle health inequalities.

“Geoff is hugely respected, he knows Bury, and I look forward to working with him to deliver the council’s priorities and fulfil our ambitions for Bury in the years ahead.”

Subject to council approval on Wednesday, Mr Little will take up his new post by August. Pat Jones-Greenhalgh will continue as interim chief executive until then.

Cllr Shori added: “I want to thank Pat for the tremendous work she has done in leading our organisation through a time of major challenges and changes, and for her unswerving commitment to providing the best possible services for the people of Bury.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 May 2018.