Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, is set to step down by the end of 2024 after a successful 14-year tenure marked by significant achievements including major company attraction and urban development, solidifying Leeds’ reputation as a leading city for growth and innovation. His departure will see the search for a new Chief Executive to inherit a strong institutional foundation and dynamic community, ensuring Leeds’ promising future continues to thrive.
When is Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, stepping down?
Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, is set to step down by the end of 2024. His 14-year tenure has been marked by significant achievements for Leeds, including the attraction of major companies, hosting international events, and substantial urban development, all contributing to Leeds’ recognition as a leading city for growth and innovation.
Pivotal Leadership and Service Recognition
Leeds City Council has formally announced that Chief Executive Tom Riordan is set to leave his post by the end of 2024. With an impressive tenure that spans across 14 years, Riordan has been at the forefront of the Council’s operations, steering it to become one of the most impactful local authorities in the UK. His departure comes as he seeks to embrace new opportunities and challenges beyond the Council.
Under Riordan’s stewardship, Leeds City Council has seen significant accomplishments. He has been a crucial figure in the creation of a ‘Team Leeds’ culture, which emphasizes collaborative efforts for the city’s sustainable growth and regeneration. “After 14 of the happiest years I’ve decided that the time is right to move on. I have genuinely loved being Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, working with the best people in the best city,” Riordan reflected on his tenure.
The Chief Executive was honored with a CBE for services to local government in the 2020 New Year’s Honours, a testament to his dedication and impact on Leeds. Riordan’s influence extends beyond administrative success, touching upon the lives of citizens: “A generation of children are growing up supported by outstanding-rated services, vulnerable people are supported wherever possible, and older people are helped to live independent and fulfilling lives.”
Council’s Progress and Achievements
Leeds City Council Leader Councillor James Lewis commended Riordan’s leadership and commitment. “Tom is an outstanding chief executive and public servant who has worked tirelessly… with an unwavering determination to achieve the best for Leeds,” Councillor Lewis said. The council has navigated numerous challenges, particularly financial ones, with Riordan’s guidance proving invaluable in delivering highly rated council services and fostering stronger communities.
The Council, under Riordan’s guidance, has been instrumental in major developments:
- Attraction of major entities like Channel 4, Burberry, Bank of England, and UK Infrastructure Bank to Leeds
- Hosting international events, including the Grand Départ of the Tour de France
- Construction of landmarks like the first direct Arena and expansion of Leeds city centre, including Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate shopping centres
Leeds has also seen the bolstering of its financial, digital, med-tech, and innovation sectors, earning global recognition for climate action and healthcare innovation. Leeds was notably ranked as the best place to live in the North by The Sunday Times. “In his time with us we’ve also attracted major investment, high-profile events and made great progress on building social housing and infrastructure to under-pin communities for the future,” Councillor Lewis highlighted.
Cultural Impact and Upcoming Recruitment
As Riordan prepares to hand over the reins, he leaves behind a legacy that transcends infrastructural growth. His personal challenges have shaped his leadership, fostering a culture that promotes respect, kindness, and diversity. “Having been in care myself, and lived with mental health issues in my family, I’ve been determined to build a culture that judges people on what they do and treats them with respect and kindness,” Riordan shared.
The search for Riordan’s successor will soon commence, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Leeds City Council. The incoming Chief Executive will inherit a robust framework and a dynamic community, indicative of the city’s promising future. Leeds City Council’s children’s services’ outstanding Ofsted rating in 2022 and the development of the Age Friendly Leeds program are testament to the solid institutional foundation laid during Riordan’s leadership.
Notes to Editors
Before joining Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan’s career was marked by significant roles, including his time in Whitehall focusing on environmental policy and leading the Yorkshire Forward regional development agency. His expertise in cross-party collaboration and partnership has been a key component of his success.
The Local Government Association’s peer review in 2022 and subsequent progress review in the summer of 2023 have praised Leeds City Council for its operations and acknowledged the ongoing financial challenges it faces. These reviews solidify the high standards of governance that Riordan and his team have maintained throughout his tenure.
.ends
- Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, is set to step down by the end of 2024 after a successful 14-year tenure marked by significant achievements for Leeds.
- Riordan has been instrumental in attracting major companies, hosting international events, and contributing to urban development in Leeds, solidifying its reputation as a leading city for growth and innovation.
- Under Riordan’s leadership, Leeds City Council has achieved high ratings for council services and has fostered stronger communities.
- The search for a new Chief Executive will soon commence, with the successor inheriting a strong institutional foundation and dynamic community in Leeds.
- Riordan’s legacy includes a culture of respect, kindness, and diversity, alongside achievements in infrastructure growth and recognition for Leeds in various sectors.