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Chief executive of Newcastle City Council to step down
Pat Richie has announced she is standing down as boss of Newcastle City Council after eight-and-a-half years in the role.
Pat Richie has announced she is standing down as chief executive of Newcastle City Council after eight-and-a-half years in the role #UKhousingMs Ritchie, who previously had been chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, now known as Homes England, said she originally planned to leave the council last year but stayed on to help it respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
She will now step down in the autumn and the local authority said a search for her successor will begin shortly.
Ms Ritchie has been chief executive of Newcastle Council since 2013 and is the first woman to have ever held the role.
During her tenure, she played a leading role in securing a multimillion-pound investment deal to bring Legal and General to Newcastle’s flagship Helix city quarter development.
Ms Ritchie also helped create the North of Tyne Combined Authority, where she was the first head of paid service.
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Earlier this year, Ms Ritchie was appointed to chair the Government Property Agency, a role that she will continue once she has stepped down from the council.
Ms Ritchie said: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to have led the council alongside leader Nick Forbes.
“This is a great, vibrant, diverse and inclusive city full of wonderful, proud people. The way it has come together during the pandemic has shone through what has been an incredibly challenging time.
“This has not been an easy decision to leave the job which I love and which has consumed much of my life for over eight years. However, I feel that this is the right time to step down, both for me personally and for the city. I have supported the city and led the council through the pandemic, but now feel the time is right to appoint a new chief executive who can work with the leader and cabinet to support the economic and social recovery in the city. This is a five to 10-year task, and one which I can’t commit to at this stage in my career.”
Council leader Mr Forbes said: “Pat has been an inspirational chief executive and has played a key role in bringing the city together throughout her time in office.
“When she first told me of her plans to leave last year, we agreed to delay any announcement until we had navigated our way through the worst of the pandemic – something she has done with great skill and judgement in the most trying of circumstances.
“I am extremely sad to see her go. I will miss her wise counsel, her professionalism, her drive, passion and innovation.
“She has played a significant part in raising the profile of the city, especially in the corridors of power, and despite operating through many years of austerity, leaves the council in a strong position. On behalf of the council and the wider city, I want to place on record my thanks to Pat for the excellent job she has done and wish her well for the future.”
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