City council finance chief walks away after failing to land top job

Birmingham City Council’s acting chief executive Clive Heaphy has resigned from the council after he failed to get the job full time.

Earlier this month, the council’s leader announced that he and the appointment panel had decided against appointing any of the three shortlisted candidates, one of which was the director of resources and acting chief executive Heaphy.

Council leader Ian Ward told the news to staff after a ‘rigorous recruitment process’ had failed to bring forward a suitable candidate.

In a statement to colleagues, Heaphy wrote: “Following my unsuccessful application to become chief executive, I have decided that it is no longer in mine or Birmingham’s interests for me to continue to work for the council. I have therefore tendered my resignation, which the leader has accepted.

“Birmingham is a great city and I have immensely enjoyed my time here and been proud to work with members, colleagues and stakeholders. I am sure that the city will continue with its renaissance and I will enjoy watching it do so and will be rooting for you all.

“I would like to thank everyone for the great support and kindness you have shown in my time here and I wish you all well for the future.”

Ward said: “I am sure you will all join me in thanking Clive for his support and work over the past months and wish him well in his new ventures. I also want to thank CLT for their continued support in acting-up and taking on extra responsibilities during what is a very busy period.

“The cabinet and myself understand this is an unsettling period so we thank you for continuing to work together to keep the city moving forward.”

It was announced last August that the council had recruited Heaphy, its chief financial officer, to take the helm on an interim basis as the authority continues the search for its fourth chief executive since 2017.

The recruitment process was prompted by the announcement that Dawn Baxendale was standing down from her £210,000 role to take up a new position as chief executive of Christchurch City Council in New Zealand.

Since the controversial departure of Mark Rogers in early 2017 over budget disputes (after three years at the helm), the council has employed three more chief executives (although two not full-time) including Baxendale with a brief spell by Angela Probert as acting chief executive before Stella Manzie joined on an interim bases in April 2017.

Baxendale took over from Manzie who was heavily criticised for the city’s bin strikes, which went on for three-months from July to September 2017.

The refuse collection problem was to continue during Baxendale’s tenure with further strikes over pay in March 2019.

Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in Europe with a population of 1.2m according to Population UK.