Shortlist of nine for chief executive

A SHORTLIST was drawn up yesterday to select Oldham Council’s new chief executive.

There have been 23 applications for the £172,000 a year role, which will be vacated when Andrew Kilburn leaves in October.

Jon Houlihan, regional director of Tribal Resourcing, the recruitment company managing the search, said interest was extremely high.

He added: “It shows that Oldham is now a destination of choice for the most talented leaders in local government.”

The list has been cut to nine, and there were technical interviews last week to assess the ability to perform the complex duties and high-level statutory responsibilities of the role.

The candidates also met council-leader Howard Sykes (Lib-Dem) and the two other group leaders, Jim McMahon (Lab) and Jack Hulme (Con).

The final interview round will be on July 10-11, including a range of exercises, briefings and presentations as well as panel interviews. The appointment will be approved at the July 16 council meeting.

Mr Kilburn, who has worked in Oldham since 1999, will become chief executive at Waltham Forest Council.