Council Chief Executive Jim Taylor to leave to take up new role at Salford

Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor, the Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council, has been appointed the new Director of Salford City Council.

Mr Taylor joined Rochdale Council in May 2012 from Tameside Council where he had been the Director of Children’s Services.

He is widely credited for the way he has handled a difficult job, bringing stability and leadership at a time when the council has faced significant challenges.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mr Taylor said: "I am sad to be leaving, I have put my heart and soul into Rochdale but it is not often a local government job in a city comes up and I felt it was an opportunity I had to take.

"Salford is in the heart of the Greater Manchester conurbation and is experiencing huge growth with Media City and Port Salford, and it is of course closely linked to Manchester.

"Every executive job in local government is demanding but Salford gives me a different sort of challenge and one I wanted to rise to. It also has a different form of governance with an elected mayor and that will be interesting."

Asked about his time in Rochdale, Mr Taylor said: "I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given here. Rochdale is an unbelieveable place, the people are so friendly and so resilient, it has been an honour to work with them. I will miss Rochdale, there is no doubt about it."

Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert said: "Jim Taylor has proved himself to be an excellent and highly skilled Chief Executive. During his time at Rochdale Borough Council he remained fully committed to delivering his vision, expertise and innovation needed to drive the borough forward.

"As an authority we will be extremely sorry to see him go but we wish him the very best in his new role at Salford City Council.

"There will be no immediate change, transition arrangements are being discussed and time scales will be announced subject to agreement."

Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Ashley Dearnley said: "I am very disappointed to see Jim go after such a short time in Rochdale but I wish him well. I do hope the many reforms he was putting into place continue."

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Andy Kelly said: "Jim has done a very good job in the two years he has been here and managed some difficult situations. I wish him the very best wiith his career move."

Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk said: “I’d like to thank Jim for the work he’s done and I wish him all the best. Jim came in at a particularly difficult time and I’m sure he’d be the first to admit there remains a huge job of work to be done in Rochdale.

"Looking forward, there is now an opportunity for new leadership in our town and we need someone who can grasp the challenges of jobs, the town centre and building on our strengths to turn the fortunes of Rochdale around.”