Oldham CEO to stay put after search for successor fails
Harry Catherall had intended to retire at the end of 2023 but will now continue in the role for two more years after the hunt for his replacement did not unearth a suitable heir.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said she is delighted Catherall will remain as chief executive, a role that he has held since 2021.
“Over the last few months we have been undergoing a recruitment process for Oldham’s next chief executive,” Shah said.
“While we did have a good field of candidates, we felt the level of experience didn’t meet the level of our aspirations and ambitions.”
Oldham Council’s appointment committee has today decided to halt the recruitment process and backed Catherall to continue until 2026.
“Happily, I have had discussions with Harry and he has been delighted to agree to continue to lead the organisation as chief executive, with some changes to his working arrangements,” Shah said.
Over the next two years, Oldham Council will look to identify and develop Catherall’s successor.
Shah added: “I’m incredibly excited about the future for Oldham Council and for the borough, and know that this decision puts us in the best possible position to keep driving forward our priorities, and improvements, at pace.”
Catherall, who is 60, has worked in local government for 40 years, including roles at Blackburn with Darwen and St Helens Council.
A metaphor for modern Britain in general. How lucky are the people of Oldham to have this gentleman at the helm? So easy to just walk away, not sure many of us would make the same decision.
By Michael Turner
Brilliant! He’s a great CEO and will be vital for the delivery of the next exciting phases of Oldham’s renaissance
By Anonymous
The reality is more likely to be that either no candidates with real ability applied to pick up the poisoned chalice, or if any did they would have had a totally different view to this failed administration on the direction that Oldham should be heading in and hence would have been immediately ruled out. The sad thing is that they have persuaded Catherall to stay for a couple of years on his flexible terms whilst the council “trains up someone from within the administration to take on the role”. This means more failed policies, more one sided government and decline, more people seeing the light and opting to move away from the borough, more of the same all round.
By K. W.
This is a prime example of public sector bodies not having the clout to hire the best people, as they can’t offer market leading salaries and there is no concept of performance based remuneration.
By Ian