Shropshire Council Chief Executive leaves

Shropshire Council has already been providing support to the Cheshire authority, whose Chief Executive, Erika Wenzel, left the council by mutual agreement at the end of June.

Cheshire East Council, which covers areas including Crewe, Congleton and Macclesfield, is embarking on a period of transformation following a number of recent problems.

Kim Ryley said of his move:

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in Shropshire over the past few years. There is a dedicated team of elected members, managers, and staff in the council, that I know will continue this work. I would like to feel that I have room for at least one fresh challenge before I think about a well-earned retirement, and the exciting opportunity to work at Cheshire East was too good to resist. The council there has huge potential to make a real difference for local people, and both councillors and staff are very committed to making this happen quickly.”

Shropshire Council will continue to be driven forward by its Leader, Keith Barrow, supported by its Senior Management Team.

Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, supported this fresh approach to partnership working:

“This seems an ideal point to support Cheshire East, allowing our neighbours to benefit from Kim’s accomplished experience in local government. Cheshire East Council will fund his salary during his time at the authority, where I am certain he will drive forward service improvement, as he has done in Shropshire.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish Kim well in his future role with Cheshire East Council and subsequently in his retirement. I know he will be a great asset to their programme of transformational change and I am proud that we can share Shropshire’s successes across our borders.”