High-profile leader steps in to take interim charge of Birmingham City Council

West Midlands Combined Authority chief executive Deborah Cadman is to take on the same role at Birmingham City Council on an interim basis, as the search continues for a permanent candidate.

The position will cover the 2022 Commonwealth Games and local elections.

Cadman is expected to take up the role from early summer and adult social care director Graeme Betts will continue as acting chief executive until then.

The appointment follows the departure of Chris Naylor, who left on March 6 following the conclusion of his secondment from Barking and Dagenham.

Last spring, the council faced criticism for appointing its seventh chief executive in eight years.

Naylor was brought in last April after three people were interviewed, with council leader Ian Ward saying a ‘rigorous recruitment process’ had failed to bring forward a suitable candidate.

Birmingham’s former finance chief Clive Heaphy had previously been acting as interim chief executive for six months but quit last March after failing to land the role permanently.

He took up the role after Dawn Baxendale quit after 16 months in July 2019 to become chief executive for Christchurch City Council in New Zealand.

Previously, Birmingham City Council was headed by Stella Manzie (interim), Angela Probert (acting) and Mark Rogers, who was appointed in 2014.

Prior to that, Stephen Hughes acted as chief executive for nine years.

Raised and educated in Birmingham, Cadman was the first permanent chief executive of the newly formed WMCA in 2017, following 30 years working in public services.

She worked at the city council for seven years during her early career followed by senior roles including head of policy at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and local Government advisor to the Ministerial Team at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

She was chief executive of Suffolk County Council from 2011 to 2017.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Deborah is highly respected both in regionally and nationally and I’m delighted that she will be joining us. Her knowledge, understanding and commitment to Birmingham will be invaluable for the year ahead.

“This has been a devastating past 12 months and our focus now is on how we work with partners to ensure that our city and our communities recovers both economically and emotionally.

“She also has a vital role to play in helping us deliver the Commonwealth Games, ensuring that people and communities across the city reap the rewards and I know she is as passionate as I am about ensuring that the future for Birmingham is bold and bright.”

Cadman said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Birmingham at such an important time for the city and the region – there are immense challenges ahead, but some great opportunities, too.

“Returning to the city as chief executive of the Combined Authority has been a great experience. I’m so proud of all we’ve achieved across the region and it will be hard to leave so many brilliant colleagues here.

“But the opportunity to become chief executive of Birmingham City Council is one I just couldn’t turn down. I’m looking forward to bringing my successful experience in working with councillors and partners across national and local government to make a difference to the city. I’m a Brummie born and bred, love the place and the people and I know how ambitious the council is to make a difference to people’s lives.”

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