Tamworth Borough Council appoints new chief executive

Stephen Gabriel said he was passionate about local government

A new chief executive has been appointed at Tamworth Borough Council.

Stephen Gabriel will take on the role from 1 April 2024 as current chief executive Andrew Barratt retires the previous month.

Mr Barratt has had a 28-year career in local government and spent 20 years at the borough council.

In addition to his departure, councillor Paul Turner has announced his immediate resignation as leader of the council.

Mr Turner said he needed more time to focus on family and work commitments, which had built up in recent months.

Thomas Jay is taking on the role of leader of the council on an interim basis.

'Heartening calibre'

The appointment of Mr Gabriel, currently at Birmingham City Council, was backed unanimously and he says he is passionate about local government.

"I'm looking forward to working with the leader of the council, council members, our leadership team, staff and wider stakeholders to deliver the ambitions and priorities for Tamworth," he said.

Mr Gabriel is currently Birmingham council's director of housing management and board member of Trident Housing Association.

Outgoing chief executive Mr Barratt said it was "heartening" to see the calibre of candidates who had applied for the position.

Mr Jay thanked Mr Barratt for his service and highlighted the challenges he had faced, including the Covid-19 pandemic and recent cost of living crisis.

When Mr Gabriel takes over in April, he will also take up the duties of elections returning officer for the council.