Bristol City Council Chief Executive to retire

Bristol City Council are today, Monday 23rd July, announcing the retirement of Jan Ormondroyd as Council Chief Executive, with effect from the end of July.

Mrs Ormondroyd is taking early retirement to spend more time with her family, following her partner’s recent diagnosis with a terminal illness.

Councillor Simon Cook, Leader of the Council, paid the following tribute:

“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.”

Leader of the opposition Labour Group, Councillor Peter Hammond, added:

“During Jan’s time as Chief Executive, the Council has undergone some real political upheaval.  She has played her role serving the elected members of the day, and the wider city, with consummate professionalism and even-handedness, and she will be a tough act to follow.  All of us, Councillors and staff, will be thinking of her and her family over the coming months and into the future.”

Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Peter Abraham said:

“We’re all so sorry to be losing her under such sad circumstances.  Bristol is perhaps not the easiest council on which to serve as Chief Executive, but Jan has consistently risen to the challenge, whilst never losing her calm, or her sense of humour.  I’d thank her for the open and extremely positive way she has always worked with me and my group.”

Leader of the Green Group, Councillor Tess Green said:

"Jan's ability to achieve consensus and calm has been very important. As a strong professional woman, she has provided an excellent role model for women in public life in Bristol. As a new political leader, I have particularly valued Jan's support and practical problem solving skills. She will be sorely missed."

Jan Ormondroyd responded:

“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.”

Council Leader Simon Cook, in partnership with other party group leaders, will speedily put in place a process to name an interim successor acting up to replace to Mrs Ormondroyd, with the new post-holder named on 2nd August.

The interim Chief Executive will probably act up until Christmas in the first instance, to allow the incoming Mayor elected on November 15th enough time 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 a salary in the region of £150k per year - rather less than the current substantive post salary of £189k, and more in line with current market conditions.