NWDA chief ‘not seeking another big job’
STEVEN Broomhead, who yesterday announced he was standing down as chief executive of the North West Development Agency, has ruled himself out of the running for the top job at Liverpool City Council.
Although stressing that he will not withdraw completely from the limelight, he told TheBusinessDesk.com: “I don’t want another big job”.
He was seen as a leading contender for the vacant Liverpool City Council job, along with Liverpool-born Barbara Spicer, currently chief executive at Salford City Council and Carol Hudson at St Helens Council.
After a break to recharge his batteries after a seven-year stint at the helm of the NWDA – which is being axed by the Government – Mr Broomhead said he would look to maintain a ‘portfolio’ of roles.
He is currently non-executive chairman of Warrington Wolves Rugby League club, a member of the regional board for the Prince’s Trust, a governor at the University of Central Lancashire and chairman of governors at Skelmersdale College.
After telling the 500 attendees at the agency’s annual meeting at Manchester University, Mr Broomhead returned to the NWDA’s Warrington headquarters to speak to staff, who had earlier been informed of his departure by email.
In the announcement to staff, Mr Broomhead said: “Although this news may come as a surprise to many of you, I can assure you that I have thought long and hard over this difficult decision and discussed it in great detail with our chairman Robert Hough, and more recently our board.”
He continuesd “I have led the agency for 7½ years in what has been a very busy and challenging role and I am keen to make a better work life balance for myself.
“During my time here I have had the pleasure of working on some of the region’s biggest and most important projects and doing so with some of the most wonderful, intelligent, creative and helpful people. Without a doubt the best people I have worked with have been you, the agency’s staff.”
Chairman Robert Hough said Mr Broomhead had made a major contribution to the organisation and a ‘fantastic ambassador’ for the North West and would be missed.
He said he was working on finding a replacement, but this would need to be approved by the Department of Business.
