Chief Executive of Manchester City Council awarded honorary degree
Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Salford.
Manchester City Council is a highly performing organisation of almost 7,000 staff, a key member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and partner in the GMCA devolution programme.
Tom (pictured below with University of Salford Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech) is currently the GMCA Chief Executive lead for the economy, business and international portfolio. He also leads Manchester’s integrated health and social care system as the designated Place-Based Lead for Manchester in the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System (ICS), with NHS Greater Manchester.
Tom joined Manchester City Council following more than 27 years of experience in local government across the UK, including in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and London. Most recently he spent four years as the Chief Executive of Salford City Council, leading the Council to some of the highest levels of performance in the North West, and recognition in 2024 as City of the Year and the LGC’s Best Place to Work.
He is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, and has a track record of delivery in regeneration, inclusive growth, public service reform and improving council services.
Tom is a Chartered Surveyor, a Member and Chair of the UK Institute of Economic Development, and a Commissioner on the Living Wage Foundation for the UK. For a number of years, he has been a member, policy lead and spokesperson for SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives), currently on Health and Social Care.
On receiving his award, Tom said: “I am honoured to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Salford. It is wonderful to have recognition of the brilliant partnership we developed between the university and the City Council and the impact this has had for residents and communities in Salford.
“I am grateful to Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech, Chancellor Lord Keith Bradley and their teams for their support and collaboration over my time at the Council’s Chief Executive, and to City Mayor Paul Dennett for the opportunity to work in the wonderful community of the City. I hope that in future years I can continue to play my part in enhancing the University’s partnerships in Greater Manchester and beyond, and I look forward to supporting the university in that endeavour.”
University of Salford Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech said, “In his time at Salford City Council, and now at Manchester City Council, Tom has been an outstanding leader and a wonderful partner for the university. His values, his enthusiasm, and his ability to get things done are second to none, and we are honoured to have been able to recognise him with this award.”
