Bury Council’s chief executive to step down

Bury Council’s most senior officer is to step down in March after many years of public service.

Mike Kelly, the council’s chief executive for the last four years, will be 65 in January and has decided to retire.

It has been a long and successful career for Mike, who started work as an apprentice bricklayer on leaving school in his native North East and rose to become an executive manager in complex private and public sector organisations over 20 years.

As chief executive, Mike has successfully steered the council through a number of major financial and organisational challenges, maintaining effective front-line services amid unprecedented budget cuts.

He joined Bury Council as deputy chief executive in 2002, with responsibilities for strategic procurement and the development of a new performance management culture which led to the Audit Commission rating Bury the “Most Improved Council” in 2004 and the highest possible “Excellent” accreditation in 2011.

Before joining Bury, Mike was previously executive director of contract services at Oldham Council and has also worked in Sefton, Burnley and Middlesbrough. He gained extensive experience in the private sector, working with facilities management companies Jarvis and Sita.

He became chief executive in Bury in 2011, taking over from Mark Sanders.

Mike said: “I guess all good things must come to an end and my affection for Bury will, of course, continue. My time with Bury has been the most incredible and enjoyable part of my 50-year career. I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with and manage some fantastic people and an all-round wonderful, loyal and committed workforce to serve the residents of Bury.

“While Bury has a great many challenges to overcome I am confident that through the widely acknowledged strong leadership the council is in good shape to come through this next difficult period and I wish it every success in going forward.

“Although I am formally retiring as chief executive, I will be looking for other opportunities to put my skills and experience to good use through working part-time, doing some voluntary work and spending a bit more time babysitting my three grandchildren.”

Mike is married to Kath and they live in Burnley. They have two sons, Damian and Christopher, and three grandchildren.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “Mike is an outstanding chief executive and public servant, who has successfully led the organisation through one of the most difficult periods in its history.

“Over the last four years Mike has ensured that front-line services have been maintained despite significant reductions in budgets and a loss of more than 400 staff. Mike has led on transforming Bury’s regional and national reputation for value for money, service excellence, economic development, regeneration and a burgeoning retail and tourism offer to name but a few of his achievements.

“Mike has never stopped working for 50 years and he thoroughly deserves all the accolades which I know will be coming his way and we wish him a long and happy retirement."

An announcement concerning Mike’s successor will be made in due course.

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 January 2015.

Picture: Bury Council chief executive Mike Kelly.