Chief executive of Bury Council to retire next year

Bury Council’s chief executive Geoff Little OBE is to retire early next year after more than four decades of public service.

Mr Little will also leave his role as place-based lead for Bury’s Health and Care Partnership (formerly Bury NHS CCG).

He first joined Bury Council in 1986 and worked for 10 years in committee services and policy and research. He returned in 2018 from Manchester City Council where he became deputy chief executive.

Geoff (aged 62) said: “Next month marks my 45th year in local government and now feels like the right time to bow out. I have had a wonderful career and have been blessed to work with brilliant people doing all we could to improve places and lives.

“It has been my pleasure to work for the people of this wonderful borough on two occasions. I am proud of what we are achieving in the borough by working together with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors and it has been a privilege to lead both organisations.

“We are making significant steps forward, particularly with regeneration and our levelling up programmes, and I will continue to give this my full commitment until my departure.”

The recruitment process to appoint a new chief executive and place-based lead will begin shortly and will be complete before Mr Little stands down next March.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: ““Geoff has done a tremendous job, bringing together both the council and local NHS commissioning, a pioneering move to provide joined-up services which will benefit all Bury residents. His leadership has helped positively transform the council, even during the toughest years we have ever faced.

“His central role in supporting our borough get through the Covid pandemic showed his tireless commitment to public service. His ability to drive forward our plans to regenerate our town centres and create prosperity across Bury exemplifies the depth of talent he has brought to the role too.

“We are sorry to see him go, but his retirement after 45 years of public service is well deserved, and I wish Geoff and his family the very best in their future plans.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 31 August 2022.

Picture: Geoff Little OBE.