Bury Council Set to Appoint First Female Chief Executive
Bury Council is on the brink of making history. Lynne Ridsdale, the current deputy chief executive, is set to become the borough’s first substantive female chief exec. The council’s employment panel has given the thumbs up, with full approval expected at tomorrow’s (Wed 7 Dec) full council meeting.
Ridsdale to Take Reins from Long-Serving Chief Geoff Little
Mrs Ridsdale will succeed Geoff Little OBE, who’s hanging up his boots after four years at the top and an impressive 40 years in public service. Alongside the chief executive role, Lynne will also oversee Bury’s Health and Care Partnership, taking over as place-based lead from Geoff.
Impressive Track Record Across Public Service
Lynne joined Bury in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience from Manchester City Council, where she was director of HR and organisational development. She’s also worked in the same role for the National Crime Agency and was assistant director at Bolton Council.
- In Bury, she leads the corporate core department, covering HR, legal, IT, communications, customer contact, and culture.
- She spearheaded Bury’s 2030 vision, LET’S Do It, focusing on building strong community teams and hubs born out of the Covid lockdown era.
- Since 2017, Lynne has been a peer reviewer with the Local Government Association, helping councils improve their services.
Council Leader Praises New Boss
“Lynne has the drive, talent and experience to lead improvements in council and NHS services and ensure our borough flourishes,” said Councillor Eamonn O’Brien. “I look forward to working with her on regenerating town centres, growing the economy, tackling deprivation, and closing health gaps.”
He added a heartfelt thank you to Geoff Little for his leadership during challenging times, including the Covid pandemic. “We wish him all the best in retirement after 45 years of public service.”
Lynne’s Vision: A Thriving Bury for All
Lynne Ridsdale said, “I’m excited to take on this role and continue making Bury the best place to live, work, study, and do business. Working with partners and residents will be key to building a thriving borough we all can be proud of.”
