City council reveals its choice for new chief executive

Birmingham City Council has revealed its choice for new chief executive.

The local authority has selected Dawn Baxendale, current chief executive of Southampton City Council.

It has drafted a pay package to support its offer and this is expected to be ratified by the full council on Monday.

An in-house email sent by interim chief executive Stella Manzie states: “Once we have more details on when she will be joining us I will be able to give you (recipients) more of an update on when she will be coming up here to begin meeting people.”

A press statement prepared for council leader Ian Ward states: “I am delighted that we have been able to make an offer to Dawn. We had some very strong candidates apply and it was heartening to see so many excellent people interested in the job, but Dawn was the one who we all felt had the qualities the city council needs.

“The offer will be formalised at full council on Monday and then we will look forward to welcoming her officially in 2018.”

Dawn Baxendale

Ms Baxendale has been in post at Southampton since March 2013 having previously served as the authority’s director of environment and economy for four years.

Her career in local government spans 20 years and has included roles in Portsmouth, Wigan, Kirklees and Doncaster.

Ms Manzie adds: “I wish Dawn every success in her new role and I will do everything I can to welcome her as she comes to Birmingham.”

Ms Manzie, a former chief executive at Coventry City Council, has been in post since April following the departure of former chief executive Mark Rogers in February.

She will be taking the reins at a difficult time for the authority as it looks to balance its books amidst increasing scrutiny of its policies.