Departures at top of Trafford Council
Trafford Council has confirmed that its chief executive Theresa Grant and corporate director Joanne Hyde have both resigned their posts, effective as of yesterday. The departures leave four senior positions at the council vacant.
It is understood that Grant had been on sick leave for the past 10 days, and that the departures were formalised over the past week. The news comes two months after the Labour Party secured additional seats on the council in the local elections, meaning that the Conservatives, led by Cllr Sean Anstee, were usurped as the controlling party. Cllr Andrew Western, leader of the Trafford Labour group, took his position as leader of Trafford Council a few weeks ago.
Grant and former leader Anstee were known to work closely together, and her departure comes as little to surprise to those close to the council.
Cllr Western said: “On behalf of Trafford Council I would like to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of Theresa during her time with the council. She has played a significant role in shaping the agenda to support the regeneration and growth of Trafford as well as the successful implementation of many initiatives to improve the services provided by the council, and for this we are very grateful. We would all like to wish Theresa every success in the future.”
Grant said: “As chief executive of Trafford Council and having worked at Trafford for the last nine years, I am enormously proud of the work we have done together to make Trafford one of the best Councils in the Country. Following the recent elections and the establishment of Trafford’s new Administration and Leader, it is now time for me to move on to new opportunities and I wish all of my friends and colleagues in Greater Manchester, at Trafford Council, Trafford CCG and all of our residents and stakeholders, the very best for the future and thank you all for your help and support over the last nine years. I wish you every success for the future.”
In the interim period Jill Colbert, corporate director will step up to cover the duties and responsibilities of the chief executive, however she is also due to leave in the coming weeks for a role in the North East.
Alongside Grant, Joanna Hyde, corporate director for transformation, also stepped down, after four years in the corporate role, and four years as HR director.
A statement on behalf of Hyde said: “Following the recent elections and the establishment of Trafford’s new administration and leader, she believes it is time for her to move on to new opportunities and challenges. Joanne wishes all of her friends and colleagues in Greater Manchester, at Trafford Council, Trafford CCG and all of our residents and stakeholders, the very best for the future.”
Helen Jones left her role as deputy chief executive last year, to go self-employed. The departures leave Richard Roe, acting corporate director of economic growth since March 2018, as one of the longest-serving senior members of the council.
