Oldham Council has appointed an Acting Chief Executive after the current Chief Executive was seconded to nearby Tameside to offer senior leadership support.

Shelley Kipling, the current Assistant Chief Executive, will step up to the Acting Chief Executive role to support the council’s leadership in the absence of current Chief Executive, Harry Catherall. 

Mr Catherall, has been seconded to Tameside four days a week on an interim six-month basis 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.  

Ms Kipling'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.  

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Speaking about her appointment, Ms 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.”  

Ms Kipling started her career in local government in 2003 before joining Oldham Council in 2009 and becoming Head of Communications.

She left Oldham in 2015 to join Manchester City Council to lead their communications function.

Ms Kipling then returned to Oldham Council in 2019 as Assistant Director for Strategy, Performance and Communications, and was instrumental during the borough’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and recovery plans.

She 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.

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Oldham Council leader, 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."

Speaking on Mr Catherall's move, Cllr Shah said it was testament to the work he has done in Oldham over recent years.

Cllr Shah said: “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."