New city council chief excited to get started
DESCRIBES NEWCASTLE AS A PLACE THAT’S ‘ON THE UP’
THE new year marks the start of a new era at Newcastle City Council.
Pam Smith has taken the reins as the civic centre’s new top boss, after Pat Ritchie stepped down as chief executive last October.
The 57-year-old started her new job on Tuesday, making the move from Stockport Council in Greater Manchester
She is immediately tasked with ensuring vital frontline services can continue operating amid disruption caused by record Covid-19 infection rates in Newcastle and leading the city’s recovery from the pandemic crisis.
Mrs Smith will also need to overhaul the council’s senior leadership, with several top directors set to leave.
She said: “Newcastle is a great northern city with warm-hearted, friendly residents so I am delighted to be here and proud to be chief executive of such an innovative council.
“I’ve had a phenomenal welcome and look forward to meeting staff, members, businesses and communities over the coming weeks as I learn more about Newcastle.
“It’s a place that is on the up with big ambitions, and I am excited to be playing a part in its recovery from the pandemic and help create a vibrant city full of opportunity and optimism for the future.”
Ms Ritchie left the city council in October last year after more than eight years in the high-paying chief executive job.
It was then confirmed before Christmas that half of the civic centre’s senior directors will be following her out of the exit door – director of resources Tony Kirkham, interim chief executive Tom Warburton, and children’s services and education boss Judith Hay.
Mrs Smith previously served as chief executive of Burnley Council and worked for HR consultants AdviserPlus. She was also responsible for the climate change, ageing, and equalities agendas at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Coun Nick Forbes, the council’s Labour leader, said: “It’s great to have someone with Pam’s vast experience of local government as chief executive.
“She has a passion for Newcastle and the region and I’m sure will bring fresh thinking and new ideas from Greater Manchester where she has been influential for many years.
“She has a proven track record in partnership working, the Green Economy, and understands the importance of reaching Carbon Net Zero emissions to our city both environmentally and economically. I look forward to working with her in driving forward that exciting vision.”