Appointments to Strategic Management Team

(Date of issue: Wednesday 16 December 2009)

Carlisle City Council confirmed the appointment of two new Strategic Management posts at a special meeting, last night (Tuesday 15 December).

The new appointees are:

• Darren Crossley – Strategic Director
• Angela Culleton – Assistant Director (Local Environment).

Mr Crossley (40) is currently Head of Policy and Community Engagement at South Ribble Borough Council and Mrs Culleton (40) is Burnley Borough Council’s Head of Street Scene.

This is the next stage in putting together the new management team for Carlisle City Council; three appointments were made last month, from a short-list of internal candidates.

Four posts were advertised in November and Carlisle City Council received 136 application forms. The remaining two posts of Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Assistant Director, Economic Development will be shortlisted in January.

Cllr John Mallinson, Chairman of the City Council’s Employment Panel, said:

“The interest shown has been considerable and this has meant that we have had to carry out the recruitment in two stages. The emerging new strategic management team will be a balance of managers who currently understand the authority as well as new managers who will bring a different perspective and experiences to the authority so that we can further develop our priorities. Their role will be to help us to better align our services to our priorities and to focus and be more responsive to our communities.”

Cllr Mike Mitchelson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said:

“We are at an exciting point, not only for the city’s development but the authority’s too. Our new strategic management team will help us to turn our vision and ambitions for our residents into reality. We are moving forward on a number of key projects including the Sands Centre development and charitable trust for Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and the University of Cumbria development.”

Mr Crossley is looking forward to joining the Carlisle City Council management team in the New Year, he said:

“It is a real privilege to be joining Carlisle City Council during this challenging but exciting period and I am looking forward to taking up my new role working with the authority’s Councillors, staff and partners. I hope to bring my experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to the new team and help the Council achieve its vision and objectives.”

Mrs Culleton said:

“I am delighted to be joining Carlisle City Council at such an exciting time. I am looking forward to making a difference in a positive way and addressing the many challenges facing the Council.”