Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, has announced his decision to step down at the end of the year to pursue new opportunities.
After a 14-year tenure leading the country’s second-largest local authority, Riordan feels it’s time to embrace new challenges. As one of the UK’s longest-serving local government chiefs, Riordan has significantly influenced Leeds, collaborating with council leaders and senior politicians to fulfill their vision of creating the best city and council. His contributions to local government were recognized with a CBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours.
Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council said:
“After 14 of the happiest years I’ve decided that the time is right to move on. I have genuinely loved being Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, working with the best people in the best city. We’ve established a collaborative Team Leeds culture that delivers, working together with our partners to ensure we have a city that’s regenerating and growing sustainably.
“A generation of children are growing up supported by outstanding-rated services, vulnerable people are supported wherever possible and older people are helped to live independent and fulfilling lives, in a city admired for what it gets done and the way it works. This has been the most difficult decision, but the time’s right to give someone else a chance to do one of the best jobs in the country.”
Leeds City Council Leader Councillor James Lewis said:
“Tom is an outstanding chief executive and public servant who has worked tirelessly alongside senior politicians, officers and partners over many years with an unwavering determination to achieve the best for Leeds. We’ve faced a lot of challenges, not least on the financial front. His contribution has been invaluable in helping us deliver council services that are highly rated, while building stronger communities where people are supported towards better lives and life outcomes.
“In his time with us we’ve also attracted major investment, high-profile events and made great progress on building social housing and infrastructure to under-pin communities for the future. Tom has played a key part in helping us to get to where we are today and has built a strong team of senior officers to continue that work. I’d like to take this chance to thank him for his considerable contribution and dedication to the council and city.”
Since joining Leeds City Council in 2010, Tom Riordan has been a driving force in expanding the council’s influence across the city and region, while prioritizing support for vulnerable populations and essential services. Under his leadership, the council has played a pivotal role in attracting significant businesses and institutions to Leeds, including Channel 4, Burberry, the Bank of England, and the UK Infrastructure Bank. The city has also hosted major international events, such as the Tour de France’s Grand Départ.
Key developments during Riordan’s tenure include the construction of the first direct Arena, extensive expansion of the city center at South Bank, and the launch of major shopping centers like Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate. Beyond strengthening Leeds’ robust financial sector, the council has nurtured the growth of new industries in digital technology, medical technology, and innovation.
Leeds’ global recognition in climate action and healthcare innovation, coupled with its recent ranking by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in the North, underscores the city’s dynamic progress under Riordan’s guidance. Leeds City Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to community enhancement through a continuous social housing construction program and infrastructure projects like the East Leeds Orbital Route. This commitment extends to direct engagement in districts to uplift the most vulnerable residents, reflecting a deep focus on community needs.
In recognition of its efforts, Leeds City Council’s children’s services received an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted in 2022. Additionally, the council is advancing its Age Friendly Leeds initiative, which builds on the success of the Child Friendly Leeds program, further underscoring its dedication to fostering supportive environments for all age groups.
Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council added:
“This is an exceptional council, with so many talented, hard-working people dedicated to doing their absolute best for the city and its people. It’s been a privilege to be in a role where there are genuine opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Having been in care myself, and lived with mental health issues in my family, I’ve been determined to build a culture that judges people on what they do and treats them with respect and kindness, where everyone feels valued for who they are and what they bring to the team.
“While we have many challenges, in common with all councils, Leeds is in as good a place as it can be to weather them. There is also a generation of bright, diverse leaders emerging from communities and in business, public life, and the arts who make me hugely optimistic for the city’s future.”
Tom Riordan began his career in Whitehall, focusing on environmental policy and representing the UK in international negotiations on climate change and endangered species. He returned to Yorkshire to establish the Yorkshire Forward regional development agency, serving as its chief executive from 2006 and spearheading the region’s economic development and regeneration.
Riordan’s extensive experience includes collaborating across political lines and with various partners. Under his leadership, Leeds City Council received formal commendation in 2022 following a peer review by the Local Government Association. The Local Government Association conducted a follow-up progress review in the summer of 2023, which returned positive results despite acknowledging the significant financial challenges the council continues to face.
