Councillors will vote on whether to approve the appointment of a new CEO at Tameside Council on Tuesday (July 15).
Emma Alexander will leave her role as managing director of Derbyshire County Council if the recommendation for her to take the top job in Tameside passes as expected.
She will step into the shoes of the borough’s interim chief executive Harry Catherall, who came in from Oldham Council to steady the ship after Sandra Stewart resigned after just two years in the job.
Her tenure was plagued by difficulties in Tameside’s children’s services, which an Ofsted report said were suffering from “serious failures”.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to join Tameside at such a pivotal time in the council’s improvement journey,” Ms Alexander said ahead of her selection.
“I know Tameside has a talented and dedicated workforce and collective drive to do the best for residents and businesses, and I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of this and helping the borough to further grow and thrive.
“It’s also great to be returning the Greater Manchester family where I know there is a shared commitment to supporting economic growth and supporting everyone to live a good life.”
She had previous stints as corporate director at Trafford Council and was Oldham’s executive director of corporate and commercial services.
Mr Catherall, who was awarded an OBE for outstanding contribution to public services in the King’s recent birthday honours list, will now head to Warrington Borough Council in a ‘ministerial envoy’ troubleshooting role.
He said of Ms Alexander’s appointment: “This is a really positive step for us as an organisation – we have not been willing to compromise for Tameside, ensuring we recommend the right person for the role, who will uphold the highest standards for our employees and residents alike.
“Having led the ‘one council’ culture change programme at Derbyshire, I know Emma is committed to carrying forward the great strides we have made in growing our own positive culture and being part of one team Tameside, all working to the same values.
“I, of course, will continue in post as interim Chief Executive and I’m committed to a smooth and seamless transition.
“If approval goes ahead at full council, we will see this appointment mark the end of a very successful year for Tameside and long may it continue.”
Eleanor Wills, the leader of Tameside Council added: “Emma was a unanimous decision by our appointments panel, and we’re excited at the prospect of her joining our team here in Tameside, bringing further expertise and stability and leading on delivering our priorities and ambitions, improving the lives of local residents and building a confident and resilient future together.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry for his valued support and guidance since joining us as Interim Chief Executive last year.
“Since then, we have worked closely together and achieved great strides as an authority – both internally through our culture, processes and setting out our clear ambitions, and outwardly delivering improved services for our residents.
“I’m also proud to be part of the Greater Manchester family who have supported us during what has been a transitional time, helping us to secure Harry as our Interim Chief Executive and clearly seeing the potential and strengths in the borough as we look towards the longer term.”
Tameside Council expects the new chief executive to be in her role by early November.
