A NEW managing director is ready to take the reins at Worcester City Council.
Lloyd Griffiths, currently the authority’s corporate director for operations, homes and communities, will take up his new role on April 1, following the retirement of current MD David Blake.
The appointment was unanimously approved at a recent full council meeting.
Mr Griffiths said: “I am hugely grateful to have been appointed as managing director of Worcester City Council. It will be a great privilege to hold this role.
“I have worked in local government for over 25 years and I am a strong believer in the positive impact that public services can bring to residents’ lives if they are delivered well.
“I am looking forward to serving our residents and businesses by working with councillors and our wide range of stakeholders and partners to deliver on the council’s ambitions and priorities for Worcester. I am very excited to lead our talented and dedicated workforce, all of whom have a collective drive to do the best for those we serve.
“We are facing a period of uncertainty and change with Local Government Reorganisation, but I am fully committed to ensuring that our city retains its strong sense of identity and has a strong voice once new unitary council arrangements come into force in April 2028.”
Mr Griffiths has worked for Worcester City Council since 2019 and currently has a wide range of responsibilities, covering frontline city services including bin collections and street cleansing, housing and homelessness, and communities.
Shortly after he joined the council, he was instrumental in leading multi-agency work with health partners to deliver Covid vaccination centres and much of the council’s pandemic recovery activity.
In his time at Worcester, Mr Griffiths has driven innovations in the council’s approach to health and wellbeing, temporary accommodation, asset-based community development, the city’s bereavement service, and the full range of operational services.
He is also a peer assessor for the Local Government Association.
Before joining the city council, Mr Griffiths held positions at Bristol City Council, Newport City Council, City and County of Swansea Council, and Gloucester City Council. He has also been a visiting lecturer at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.
Council leader Coun Lynn Denham added: “Congratulations to Lloyd on becoming managing director. I look forward to working with him to continue to deliver excellent services to the residents and businesses of our city, and to completing key capital projects like the new Scala arts centre.
“Lloyd understands the culture of the organisation and has, over the years, built strong and trusting relationships with councillors, staff and stakeholders. He has the mix of skills and experiences that the city council will need to lead us through Local Government Reorganisation, making him the ideal appointment to this important role.”
