Wolverhampton Council boss to step down due to ill health
The chief executive of Wolverhampton City Council today told of his sadness as it was revealed he would step down from his role due to health reasons.
Simon Warren has been off work due to ill health since March and it has been revealed he has undergone medical tests for a heart condition.
The authority has revealed it will also scrap the post and replace it with a managing director, with the position to be filled by one of three senior staff already at the Civic Centre.
Mr Warren took up his £153,800-per year role in 2009 taking over from Richard Carr who moved to Central Bedfordshire Council.
He was previously chief executive at Rugby Borough Council, having also served as a senior officer in the Royal Air Force and as head of strategic management for NATO.
Mr Warren said: "During my time at Wolverhampton, I have greatly warmed to both the place and the people. It has a proud history, huge potential and, I hope, a great future with an effective council to lead the way."
Mr Warren has overseen one of the most turbulent times in the council's history following last year's announcement that it needed to find £123 million of savings over five years, requiring 2,000 jobs to go.
Leader of the council, Labour councillor Roger Lawrence, said: "Simon Warren has made a huge contribution during what has undoubtedly been the most challenging time in our history.
"Simon was also instrumental in helping us bring significant inward investment, jobs and growth to the area through his work on the i54 South Staffordshire project. This very successful partnership with South Staffordshire District Council and Staffordshire County Council helped attract Jaguar Land Rover and other major companies to our doorstep with £530 million in investment and over 2,000 jobs."
A 'special appointments committee' made-up of five Labour councillors and two Conservatives will be set-up to select from the three strategic directors who worked under Mr Warren. One of the three jobs will then be axed.
The candidates for managing director are strategic director for delivery Keith Ireland; strategic director for communities Sarah Norman and strategic director for education and enterprise Tim Johnson.
The council claims it will save £195,000 initially with a savings target of £350,000. The managing director position will have a salary of £140,000-per-year.
