THE MANAGING director of Worcester City Council is to retire after nine years in the role and 13 years in the organisation.
During that time, David Blake has overseen the construction of Cathedral Square, the development of Scala, the city’s new arts centre, the regeneration of the city’s Victorian railway arches, the Building Block II skills training centre in Dines Green, investment in the university’s new medical school, and the city’s on-going programme of festivals.
He also oversaw the council’s response to the Covid pandemic, including delivering £42 million in support to Worcester businesses.
And he has ensured that essential daily services have been delivered, including bin collections, processing of planning applications, support for people at risk of becoming homeless, maintenance of the city’s award-winning parks and keeping Worcester’s streets clean.
David said: “This was an incredibly difficult decision. It has been an absolute privilege and honour to have been managing director and I feel truly blessed that after over 30 years in the public sector, I am retiring from the best job that I have ever had.
“I would like to pay tribute to and give my sincere thanks to all the staff and partners with whom I have worked over the years, through the challenges of the pandemic, the opportunities to bring unprecedented levels of public funding into our city and the delivery of daily services of the utmost quality. I am incredibly proud of the staff and all that has been achieved.
“We work in challenging and uncertain times, but I am sure that whatever the future brings, the members and staff of the council will rise to the challenge and ensure that our wonderful city continues to grow and to thrive and the residents and businesses continue to receive support that they so richly deserve.”
Worcester City Council leader Coun Lynn Denham added: “I would like to thank David for his energy, enthusiasm, vision and success. He has put a lot of energy into making sure that the city council is a good place to work. Under his management, staff have been valued and their contributions have been recognised.”
David’s final day with the council will be March 31.
