Salford appoints new chief executive  

Tom Stannard, Wakefield Council’s director of regeneration, will join Salford City Council next February to replace outgoing chief executive Jim Taylor.   

Stannard’s appointment as chief executive sees him move back to Greater Manchester having previously worked for Oldham Council as its director of economy and skills between 2015 and 2018. 

He then joined Wakefield Council in West Yorkshire in 2018, where he has overseen the council’s regeneration and economic strategies. 

Over the last two years, Stannard has been involved in securing and delivering the £1.8bn West Yorkshire devolution deal, and leading programmes of growth and regeneration across the region.   

During his career, he has also held posts including communications director at Blackburn with Darwen Council and head of policy and performance at Hounslow London Council.  

Stannard is a qualified chartered surveyor and sits on the board of the UK Institute of Economic Development and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. 

Salford’s outgoing chief executive Taylor took up his position in 2014 after serving as chief executive of Rochdale Council. 

He is retiring to spend more time with his family and friends, according to a statement from the council.   

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, said: “Tom has been appointed chief executive to build on the achievements and great work under Jim Taylor’s leadership. 

“In Salford, we have seen unprecedented private and public investment in the city in the last 10 years and our focus remains on reducing inequalities and creating a better, fairer city for all. While we work through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we must continue to support resilience.”  

Stannard said: “I’m energised at the opportunity to return to Greater Manchester and join one of the most progressive and high-achieving city councils in the country.

“I have been impressed with the council’s community-focused culture, and I’m looking forward to supporting communities in the city to fight through the Covid-19 pandemic.”  

Like Stannard, Manchester City Council’s chief executive Joanne Roney, appointed in 2017 to replace Sir Howard Bernstein, also joined from Wakefield Council.