Tribute to ‘Marmite man’

DEPARTING Oldham chief executive, Charlie Parker

TRIBUTES have been paid to Oldham Council’s “Marmite” chief executive on his final weeks in the job.

Charlie Parker, who was appointed 2008, is leaving to take up the top post at Westminster Council.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “In 2008, the three party leaders came to the view that the public relationship with the council, and how it was perceived, was very negative. We agreed we were going to take a risk — and that risk was Charlie.

“We are now in the position where I think this council is a force of good for Oldham. The things you have achieved have gone far beyond my hopes and ambitious for this council.

“The changes you have seen through the council, on top of £150 million of cuts, for the council to be so strong today, is a strong testament.”

But he admitted Mr Parker was a bit like Marmite: “People love you or don’t love you as much as other people!”.

Liberal Democrat leader Howard Sykes, who was in charge when Mr Parker was appointed, added: “I thought until you came here that I knew what good was. But you showed what excellence is.”

Councillors praised Mr Parker’s big personality — and big ego — energy and passion, as well as his team of senior officers dubbed “Charlie’s Angels.”

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance, said: “He is a man of big ideas and he brought the scale of his vision to Oldham. Under Charlie this council has achieved a lot.

Mr Parker received a standing ovation after paying tribute to the council leaders, councillors, Mayors and staff with whom he had worked. He said: “I have always said Oldham is a hidden gem. The people are terrific and the ability to deal with change, and the change you have gone though, has been quite phenomenal. In short, it has been a fantastic place to be a chief executive.”