Dudley Council appoints five new directors, on combined salary of 'up to £675,000 a year'
Dudley Council has taken on five new directors on a combined salary of 'up to £675,000' as part of s shake-up to streamline its management structure.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, welcomed the new appointments which he said would play an important role in establishing a new, more efficient management as it seeks to improve its financial position.
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Stephen Meah-Sims has been appointed as group director for core business, on a salary of 'up to £155,000 per annum plus benefits', according to a recent advertisement.
Mr Meah-Sims, who has 25 years' experience in local government, will work closely with chief executive Balvinder Heran and oversee the council's finances, personnel and legal compliance.
He previously served as deputy chief executive of Suffolk County Council, where he was responsible for council transformation programmes, as well as a broad range of central services including finance, customer and technology.
He said: “I’m so pleased to have been selected for this position and I am very much looking forward to serving the people of Dudley borough.
“As someone who has been in public service for more than 25 years, I will bring a lot of experience and empathy to the role. I am particularly committed to a customer-focused delivery, that offers value for money to the taxpayers of Dudley.”
The authority has also recruited four new directors, on salaries of 'up to £130,000 per annum plus benefits'.
Anne Boyd being takes on the role of director of economy and infrastructure, having previously served as chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Her role will include overseeing the regeneration of the area, major infrastructure projects, and boosting economic growth.
She said: "I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Dudley Council and at the prospect of serving this community. It will be an honour to drive growth and prosperity for all.”
James Prestwich is the new director of housing and homelessness. Originally from Dudley, he has worked in housing for many years, holding posts at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and in policy and external affairs roles at the National Housing Federation.
“As a proud housing professional and son of Dudley I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to lead the housing and homelessness service at Dudley Council," he said.
“I’m looking forward to building on the work that has taken place to drive improvement across housing. Together we will deliver a ‘best-in-class’ service for the citizens of Dudley borough.”
Micheal Brereton becomes director of development and regulation, in charge of planning matters.
He has 20 years of experience, most recently as head of planning and building control at Walsall Council, and is a qualified town planner.
Dudley Council stalwart Jim Deakin, who has worked for the council for more than 40 years, is the new director of neighbourhoods, responsible for libraries, leisure services, street cleaning and waste services.
He started at the authority’s Lister Road depot in an apprenticeship scheme in 1985 and went on to work in waste care, before being appointed as head of waste and fleet two years ago.
“After 40 years of working for this council, I am immensely proud and honoured to be appointed to this role," he said.
“I am particularly excited to be able to continue to work closely with our community and partners alongside our talented dedicated officers.
”Dudley is a fantastic place to work and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to continue to serve the people of this great borough as part of our new senior management team.”
Councillor Harley said the five new directors would play important roles in the council's new operating structure.
“We are developing our strong new leadership team to drive the council forward and forge an exciting future for our borough and our residents," he said.
“These officers all have proven track records and great experience, and I am confident they will be fantastic appointments for our authority.”
