Bury Council Set to Make History with First Female Chief Executive
Bury Council is poised to appoint Lynne Ridsdale as its new chief executive, pending final approval at tomorrow’s full council meeting (Wednesday 7 December). The move ends Geoff Little OBE’s four-year reign, as he retires after an impressive 40-year career in public service.
From Deputy to Top Job: Lynne’s Rise
Currently deputy chief executive, Lynne will also take over as place-based lead for Bury’s Health and Care Partnership, formerly the Bury NHS Clinical Commissioning Group. She joined Bury Council in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience including HR leadership roles at Manchester City Council and the National Crime Agency.
In Bury, Lynne runs the corporate core department, overseeing HR, legal, IT, communications, customer service, and cultural initiatives. She’s been integral in crafting Bury’s ambitious “LET’S Do It” vision for 2030, focusing on building strong local community teams and hubs—vital during Covid lockdowns.
Trusted Leader with a Track Record
Lynne’s influence extends beyond Bury. Since 2017, she’s acted as a peer reviewer for the Local Government Association, helping other councils boost their performance.
“I am delighted that Lynne is set to become our new chief executive,” said Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council. “Her work as deputy chief shows she has the drive, talent and experience to lead improvements in council and NHS services. She’s the first substantive female chief executive in Bury’s history.”
“I look forward to working with her to regenerate our town centres, grow the economy, tackle deprivation and health inequalities, and improve people’s skills.”
He added, “Thanks to Geoff Little for his tremendous leadership through Covid and tough financial times. We wish him a happy retirement after 45 years of dedicated service.”
Lynne’s Vision: Making Bury the Best Place to Live
Lynne said: “I’m excited to step up and continue our journey to make Bury the best place to live, work, study and do business. It’s all about partnering with residents and organisations to build a thriving, proud borough.”
