Wolverhampton council managing director Keith Ireland to leave post

Keith Ireland will step down from his role to become the new chief executive at Lincolnshire County Council.

Council leader Roger Lawrence described Mr Ireland as a 'visionary and inspirational managing director'.

He has worked at the council since 2012 – including four years as managing director.

Mr Ireland had previously held senior management and director roles at the London Borough of Enfield, Northumberland County Council and Manchester City Council.

He said leaving Wolverhampton to take up a new role was 'tinged with sadness' – and hailed the efforts of council staff.

Mr Ireland said: “This appointment represents a new opportunity and exciting personal challenge in my local government career.

“Whilst I am of course delighted to have been successful, this is tinged with the sadness of leaving behind all the very many fantastic things we have achieved together as a city, working with partners and local people.

"I particularly want to pay tribute to the very many brilliant council employees who have been with me on an incredible transformation journey during challenging times.”

Councillor Lawrence thanked Mr Ireland for his time at the authority and praised him for an 'instrumental' role in setting up the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The process to appoint his replacement is now under way, he added.

Councillor Lawrence said: “Although I’m sad to see Keith leave us after nearly four years as the council’s managing director, I’d like to congratulate him on the offer of the new position at Lincolnshire County Council which, subject to county council approval, represents a fresh new challenge.

“Keith has been a visionary and inspirational managing director who has worked closely with cabinet members to deliver huge service transformation at the council – despite the very significant financial challenges we face.

“He has helped the council maintain services that matter most to local people, including the achievement last year of the council’s good rating by Ofsted for our children’s services, whilst delivering unprecedented budget reductions.

“These achievements were recognised last year when Wolverhampton Council was named local authority of the year, most improved council and senior leadership team of the year at the MJ Awards.

“Keith was also instrumental in helping me and political leaders across the region to set up the West Midlands Combined Authority – a programme of work he managed at break-neck speed, very effectively and very diplomatically.

“I will now be working closely with cabinet colleagues to recruit a suitable replacement.

“Once again though, on behalf of the council, I would like to place on record my sincerest thanks to Keith for his outstanding and exemplary service to our city and its people and wish him all the very best with his new and exciting role.”