Oldham Council chief exec Parker lands Westminster role
OLDHAM Council’s chief executive Charlie Parker has landed one of the top roles in local government, running Westminster Council in London.
Mr Parker, 52, has run Oldham Council for five years, and was seen by many as a natural successor to Sir Howard Bernstein at Manchester City Council when he decides to retire.
At Oldham he has overseen a period of rapid recovery and transformation that has earned national recognition – including being named ‘Most Improved Council’ at the 2012 Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards.
His tenure has seen the introduction of major innovative service improvements and an estimated £500m of investment has also been attracted to the borough – all at the same time as finding budget savings of around £140m.
Jim McMahon, leader of Oldham Council, said: “When Charlie arrived here we agreed across political parties that Oldham Council needed to change: it was time to put Oldham above petty party politics which had dogged the borough for too long.”
“Charlie was clear that to see real change it would take five-years to make the Council fit-for-purpose again, kick-start regeneration and deliver the town we all know we can be.
“He has delivered on both counts and set Oldham on a journey that residents, businesses and partners are starting to see the results of on the ground.”
Mr Parker, who is also chief executive for the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority – and the regional lead on Low Carbon and Green issues – was selected for the Westminster post this week after a rigorous recruitment process.
Mr Parker said: “This has been a very difficult choice for me to make. The Westminster role is the type of opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime and it’s probably only one of a couple that I would have left Oldham to take.”
“I’ve had a fantastic five years here. It’s been a privilege and pleasure to be involved in the improvements that have set us apart – both the Council, and Oldham as a place – to make people sit up and notice us again in a positive way regionally and nationally.
He added: “Before I go, however, plenty of important work remains to be done – particularly in terms of finalising regeneration deals – and I am totally focussed on ensuring that I leave Oldham on a high.”
Prior to joining Oldham Council, Mr Parker was director of investment and performance at English Partnerships. His other previous posts have included group strategic development director at Preston-based Enterprise, executive director for regeneration at Liverpool City Council, and head of Manchester Council’s inner city department.
Married with two grown-up children, his hobbies include swimming, cycling, skiing and music. He is also a long-standing season ticket holder at Manchester City.
