Stockport to name new chief executive

Caroline Simpson has been recommended to replace Pam Smith in the role, a decision that is set to be approved at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday.

Simpson is currently a deputy chief executive and corporate director of place at Stockport.  She has worked with the council for nearly six years, having joined from Cheshire East Council in 2016. At Cheshire East she was the executive director for economic growth and prosperity.

Simpson is replacing Smith, who is leaving Stockport to become the chief executive at Newcastle City Council.

Stockport council leader Cllr Elise Wilson said Simpson was the appointments committee’s preferred candidate for the chief executive position.

“She has extensive experience at a senior level both in Stockport and beyond,” Wilson said of Simpson. “She established herself as the outstanding and credible candidate in an incredibly strong field. She showed huge ambition and passion for the people of Stockport.

“I look forward with working with Caroline on our ambitious plans we have for the borough.”

For her part, Simpson said she “can’t wait to get started” in her new role.

“It’s a fantastic borough with ambitious plans for the future and I am looking forward to working with councillors, partners, businesses, communities and colleagues to deliver for our residents,” she said.

Simpson was a speaker at Place North West‘s Greater Manchester Development Update event in September. During a panel discussion, she emphasised that decisions on development have to be appropriate for the area itself.

“Our job is to reflect the right kind of development for the place it’s in,” she said.