Oldham appoints Acting Chief Executive and offers senior leadership support to Tameside Council
Shelley Kipling has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive of Oldham Council, as current Chief Executive Harry Catherall is seconded to Tameside to offer senior leadership support following a number of senior departures and concerns over children’s services.
Oldham Council, together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, has agreed a package of support which has been approved at Full Council meetings of both Oldham and Tameside.
The agreement, which will see Harry Catherall seconded to Tameside four days a week on an interim six-month basis, sees current Assistant Chief Executive Shelley Kipling step up to the Acting CEO role to support the council’s leadership in Harry’s absence.
Shelley’s appointment was unanimously recommended by the council’s cross-party Appointments Committee last week, with the decision later ratified at an extraordinary meeting of the full council.
Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: “I’m really pleased that we have appointed Shelley Kipling to this crucial role. Her experience, energy, and love for Oldham shone through the interview process. The breadth of her knowledge and commitment to Oldham makes her the ideal person to step in to Harry’s shoes.
“Shelley combines an extraordinary ability to bring people together with a razor sharp strategic focus that translates into delivering real change.
“That unique combination of passion and professionalism has already made a huge difference to Oldham and I have no doubt she will continue to do so as acting chief executive.”
Shelley Kipling started her career in local government in 2003 before joining Oldham Council in 2009 and becoming Head of Communications. In 2015 she left Oldham to join Manchester City Council to lead their communications function.
Shelley returned to Oldham Council in 2019 as Assistant Director for Strategy, Performance and Communications, as a result, Shelley was absolutely instrumental during our Borough’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to our plans for recovery afterwards.
Shelley was promoted to Assistant Chief Executive in 2021 where she took on additional responsibilities including human resources and organisational development, and in January 2024 Shelley took on responsibility for customer services and IT.
Speaking about her appointment, Acting Chief Executive Shelley Kipling said: “It’s a privilege to be stepping up to this role at such an exciting time for Oldham.”
“As a Council we are working with local people, local businesses and our partners to drive real improvements to services alongside transforming town and district centres.
“These changes does not alter our priorities as a council, and we remain committed to our residents, the services we deliver and to making Oldham the best possible place to live, work and visit.”
Harry will remain at Oldham one day a week as part of the agreement with Tameside Council, which means that we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and experience.
Cllr Shah added: “Being approached to provide support to neighbouring Tameside is testament to the fantastic improvements that we have delivered here in Oldham over the last few years – and Harry has been instrumental in that.
“His experience having delivered for Oldham one of the fastest improvements in Children’s Services in the country is also a major factor in Oldham being asked to share him with Tameside. Helping Tameside out in their time of need benefits Oldham because we need the strongest possible team across Greater Manchester to deliver the transformational work to take control of local services.”
