Eamonn Boylan to take up interim role of Manchester City Council CEO
Veteran civil servant, Eamonn Boylan, will take up the role of interim chief executive of Manchester City Council from the end of August.
His appointment follows news last month that Joanne Roney is to stand down as Manchester City Council CEO to return to her home city of Birmingham to take the reins of the city council there in the newly-created role of managing director.
A search for her replacement began a month ago and the interim appointment is part of the process of recruiting a new permanent CEO for the city council.
Mr Boylan will support the council’s Senior Management Team and ensure a smooth transition while the process to select and appoint the new chief executive is completed.
He has a long and respected career in local government spanning more than 42 years, including as Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) – a post he held since 2017 before stepping down earlier this year.
He previously held a range of senior positions including deputy Chief Executive at Manchester City Council and in Sheffield, as well as taking up roles as Chief Executive of Stockport Metropolitan Council and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Housing Agency, now Homes England.
He’s also serving as the Acting chair of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation, following the death of Lord Bob Kerslake.
Mr Boylan said: “Manchester was a happy home for me for many years and as one of the most exciting cities and local authorities in the country, it’s a proud moment to come back to my old stomping ground and help lead this wonderful city.
“Manchester and Greater Manchester have been where I’ve spent the best years of my local government career – most recently at GMCA – and given I had always envisaged continuing to be part of local government after announcing my retirement, the opportunity to take up the interim Chief Executive role in Manchester was too good to miss.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Eamonn has a proven leadership in key government roles both locally and nationally, and has the experience and insight to step into this interim role and ensure a seamless transition while we recruit a new permanent chief executive.
“He garners huge respect in both local and national government circles and has an intimate knowledge of our city and region – as well as a genuine love for our city that will steer us through the coming months.”
She added: “That process is getting under way. We believe that the role of chief executive at Manchester City Council is the best job in local government – at the heart of this ambitious council and this world-class city.
“We look forward to appointing a long term chief executive, to help us achieve growth that benefits everyone while delivering good quality day-to-day services.”
