New Interim Chief Executive for Bristol City Council

Graham Sims has been appointed interim Chief Executive of Bristol City Council following the retirement of Jan Ormondroyd.

The interim Chief Executive will 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 of £150k per year - rather less than the current substantive post salary of £189k, and more in line with current market conditions.

Graham Sims, who has lived in South Bristol throughout his life, has been Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and City Development.

He was responsible for Planning, Transport, Economic and Cultural Services and to give strategic leadership to improving neighbourhoods across the city.  He has led work with Safer Bristol and the Neighbourhood Partnerships.

The remit was wide-ranging with accountability for community safety and cohesion, all areas of housing, recycling, waste and streetscene services, parks and open spaces, trading standards, environmental health, crematoria and cemeteries, and licencing. 

His main focus has been developing Bristol into a leading European Green Capital, addressing the challenge of climate change, with a prospering economy, an effective sustainable transport system and a great cultural offer.

Council Leader Simon Cook said: “Graham Sims will make an excellent interim Chief Executive. His valuable long-term experience with the council across a range of senior roles will be particularly important over the next few months as we make the transition to a new Mayor. His appointment has cross-party support and I wish him well in his new role.”

Graham Sims said: “It has been a privilege working for Jan Ormondroyd and she will be a very hard act to follow. The next few months will be challenging as we make the transition to a Mayor but it offers huge opportunities for the council and the city as a whole, and I look forward immensely to playing my part as interim Chief Executive.”