Birmingham City Council appoints managing director

New managing director Joanne Roney started her career at Birmingham City Council as a 16-year-old apprentice

Birmingham City Council has appointed a woman who started her career as an apprentice at the authority as its new managing director.

Joanne Roney, who grew up in the Shard End area of the city, has been in charge of Manchester City Council for the last seven years.

Ms Roney said, despite being an adopted Mancunian: "I'm a native Brummie and this was the only role which could have tempted me away."

The role is widely thought to be one of the most challenging in local government, as the council seeks to tackle serious financial problems.

Professor Graeme Betts has been the acting chief executive of the authority since the departure of Deborah Cadman in March.

Ms Roney said: "I began my career as an apprentice at Birmingham City Council at the age of 16.

"So the prospect of concluding it there as managing director, and helping the place where I grew up and my family still live rise to its current challenges, was a compelling one."

'A committed public servant'

Birmingham City Council has had nine chief executives in permanent and temporary roles since 2014, with none lasting more than three years in the job.

Councillor John Cotton, the authority's leader, said: "Joanne was the standout candidate to steer the council through its current challenges and transform it into an organisation that delivers consistently good services for the people and communities of Birmingham."

"She's from Birmingham, knows and loves this city and is a committed public servant with a proven track record and a wealth of experience," he added.

"I look forward to working with her as we strive to give the people of Birmingham the council and the future they deserve."

Manchester City Council said it understood the "emotional pull" the job had and wished her every success.