Stephen Young, the current chief executive of Halton Council, has been appointed to take over as the chief executive of Salford City Council, succeeding Tom Stannard.
Stannard departed at the end of January to join Manchester City Council, with Melissa Caslake stepping in as the interim replacement. Young is expected to assume his new role in Salford sometime in the autumn, according to City Mayor Paul Dennett.
Announcing the appointment, Dennett stated:
“Stephen will lead our organisation into the next phase of delivering for the people of Salford – supporting our communities, tackling inequality, and continuing our collaborative efforts across the city and beyond.
“He brings extensive experience and expertise, having worked in local government for over 30 years, including 17 years in senior leadership positions.”
Young has served as Halton Council’s chief executive for the past three years, following a four-year tenure as executive director of growth at Lancashire County Council. His new position marks a return to Greater Manchester, where he previously spent nearly a decade in various roles at Bolton Council and three years at Oldham Council.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Young said:
“Salford is an incredible city – full of energy, pride, and potential. I’m honoured to step into the role of chief executive and to collaborate with elected members, colleagues, partners, and communities to drive forward our shared ambitions.
“There’s so much to be proud of, and even more to look forward to. We’re entering an exciting new chapter, and I can’t wait to meet everyone, get started, and make a difference in this great city.