Bristol City Council chief executive Jan Ormondroyd is to take early retirement at the end of this month to spend more time with her family following her partner’s recent diagnosis with a terminal illness.
Council leader cllr Simon Cook, in partnership with other party group leaders, is to put in place a process to name an interim successor to be named on August 2.
The interim chief executive is expected to stay in the role until Christmas to allow the incoming directly-elected Mayor enough time following the November 15 poll to decide if he/she would like to recruit a permanent successor, and if so, on what terms.
The interim chief executive will be paid an annual salary of around £150,000 – less than the current substantive post salary of £189,000 and more in line with current market conditions, said cllr Cook.
He led tributes to Ms Ormondroyd, pictured, saying: “Jan Ormondroyd has shown immense professionalism and dedication throughout her four and a half years as chief executive. The council is a leaner, better run organisation due to her energy, commitment and hard-work. There have been many achievements in that time – from rising educational standards to winning huge transport investments, from establishing the new Local Enterprise Partnership to agreeing new powers for Bristol with government under the City Deal, from attracting new jobs to winning a cutting-edge reputation as a green city.
“These were all built on the foundations of sound management she put in place, and to her personal leadership of the staff team. I shall miss her calm wisdom and counsel immensely, and wish her and her family well for the future, at this difficult time.”
Ms Ormondroyd said “I have been immensely privileged to work with so many dedicated colleagues, passionate in their commitment to improving the city, whether those are the thousands of staff members, the councillors, colleagues in partner agencies, or local residents. I am genuinely sad to be leaving at such an exciting time of change for the city, but am confident I will leave the council in good hands, and I shall keep in touch with the many friends I have made here.”
