Sir Howard Bernstein’s successor at Manchester City Council has been lined up.
Joanne Roney, chief executive of Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council, is to be recommended for the role to the personnel committee. The full council will then have to approve the appointment.
She said she was looking forward to working with Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese and building on Sir Howard’s substantial legacy.
“Manchester is a confident and dynamic city and this is an exciting time for anyone to be joining Manchester City Council,” she said.
“I’m honoured to be in line for this prestigious role and looking forward to building on the legacy created by Sir Howard and playing my part, alongside Sir Richard and the wider team, in shaping the next phase of Manchester and Greater Manchester’s journey.”
She is expected to take over in the spring.
Sir Richard said: “We were hugely impressed at interview by Joanne’s drive, strategic vision and determination to ensure that all Manchester residents can be part of the city’s success story.
“This an exciting time for Manchester City Council. We have a clear, shared vision for the future direction of the city… and a strong platform from which to move forwards.
“This includes a high quality team, strong relationships with partner organisations and an established culture of ambition.
“We don’t shy away from the fact that there are still significant challenges ahead to connect all of Manchester’s communities with the opportunities being created here and I have no doubt that this will be right at the top of the new chief executive’s agenda.”