Two Midlands councils name chief executives

Formal Wirral Council boss Paul Satoor will take over as Herefordshire Council’s chief executive later this year, around seven months after Paul Walker said he intended to step down from the role.

A former director of organisational development and strategy at the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Satoor resigned his post at Wirral Council in October last year.

A graduate of the University of Wolverhampton, he built his expertise in human resources, organisational development and change through senior roles spanning both the public and private sectors.

“It is clear to me that the council and the county have much to be proud of – and much to look forward to,” he said, after his appointment was confirmed by a full council meeting on 1 May.

“It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and rich history, and enormous potential and opportunity. I will be joining at a time of continual improvement in the council and I am keen to maintain that momentum and help take it to the next stage of its journey.

“I look forward to working with the Leader, Cabinet, members, staff and stakeholders to deliver outstanding public services while supporting the most vulnerable in society in Herefordshire.”

The move comes a week after neighbouring authority Shropshire Council also named a new head, former director of both adult and children’s services, Tanya Miles.

Miles was confirmed as the authority’s permanent Chief Executive last week, having served as interim since September.

She began her 26-year career with Shropshire Council in 1999, joining as a social worker before working her way up to director of adult social care by 2020.

“There was strong competition through a rigorous recruitment process, but Tanya stood out as the right person to lead Shropshire into its next chapter,” said council leader, Cllr Heather Kidd.

“She brings not only enormous professional experience, but a genuine love of this county and a lifetime of service to its people. Tanya has literally worked her way up from a front-line social worker, and that gives her a grounding and understanding of public service that is hard to replicate.

“She is tough but fair, ambitious for this organisation, and committed to making Shropshire Council a positive place to work where staff feel valued, challenged and supported to improve.”