Salford Council announces new interim chief executive

Salford City Council has announced its new interim chief executive as Melissa Caslake. The town hall said it was pending permanent recruitment, a process which it said would begin in the new year.

The appointment follows the news in October that Tom Stannard, previously the council's chief executive, was leaving to take up the same position at Manchester City Council.

"Following a competitive internal recruitment process, Melissa Caslake has been appointed to the role as Tom Stannard's successor," read a council statement.

Ms Caslake is currently executive director of children's services at Salford City Council and has been in the post for two years. She joined the council in December, 2022, initially as interim executive director, before taking up the position permanently in 2023. The council said she would take up the top role in February next year.

"Prior to her arrival in Salford, she held roles as a director for children's services for a number of local authorities including Devon and the bi-borough arrangements between Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster," added the statement.

"During her time at Salford as executive director of children's services, Melissa Caslake has overseen a range of initiatives, all aimed at creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all.

"Under her management, Salford children's services achieved a successful OFSTED inspection which resulted in the service being rated as 'good' with 'outstanding' leadership and care leaver support."

Mr Stannard leaves Salford after almost four years. Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: "Whilst I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Tom Stannard, for his outstanding leadership, I am now pleased to announce