New Oldham council chief executive vows to make the borough ‘unstoppable’

A new top boss has been named to to lead Oldham’s strategy in the years ahead. Oldham Council has selected Shelley Kipling as its chief executive designate.

Kipling, who is currently acting chief executive, was the unanimous choice of a cross-party appointments committee. The job was advertised with a salary in the range of £179,420 and £200,623 for a candidate with a ‘proven record of senior strategic leadership in complex, high-profile environments’.

Shelley Kipling Oldham Council

She replaces Harry Catherall who left at the end of 2024 to take on an equivalent role at neighbouring Tameside Council, where he will be tasked with rescuing the authority’s failing children’s services. The authority said the appointment followed ‘a tough process attracting a range of high-calibre candidates’.

Her name will now go forward for ratification by full council next Thursday (March 6th). Shelley Kipling, said: “I am so proud to work for Oldham – a place I love – and being given this opportunity to serve Oldhamers at such an important time for our borough is an honour.

“It’s also a privilege to do this alongside a fantastic workforce who work every single day to make the lives of Oldham people better. “It is an exciting moment to be part of Oldham’s story.

Councillor Arooj Shah

“There is a real strength present in Oldham which, if we work together collectively to maximise and amplify, will make us unstoppable.” Leader of Oldham Council, Coun Arooj Shah, said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve appointed Shelley to this role following a highly competitive selection
process which attracted an impressive field of candidates.

“Shelley’s passion for Oldham shone through this process and she demonstrated clearly the care she has for our residents and communities. “The coming years will be so important for Oldham as we drive forward our plans to regenerate and transform our borough.

“I can think of no one better than Shelley to work alongside me as we lead this crucial work.” The new chief executive is a University of Manchester graduate, who studied politics and modern history.

Oldham Council

She started her career in 2003 as a council officer in Wakefield before joining Oldham Council in 2009 as head of communications. In 2015 she left Oldham to join Manchester City Council to lead their communications function.

She returned to the borough in 2019 as assistant director for strategy, performance and communications and was promoted to assistant chief executive in 2021.