Chief Executive Brian Oakley to retire

Thursday 3rd June 2010

Sandwell Homes chief executive Brian Oakley is to retire after 44 years of public service, 22 of them spent working in Sandwell. Brian will leave his post at the end of June.

Brian has spent the last six years steering the organisation through a two-star and subsequent three-star Audit Inspection in 2008 as well as delivering an on-going £425 million Decent Homes programme, one of the biggest in the country.

Starting his career as a trainee at Dudley MBC in 1966, he has worked at Wolverhampton Council and Shropshire Country Council and the private sector before joining Sandwell Council in 1988.

Brian said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with so many talented and passionate people – both at Sandwell Council and Sandwell Homes – who work tirelessly day in and day out to improve the quality of life for people in the area. I would like to thank them for their hard work and support.

Cllr Geoff Lewis, Sandwell Homes board member and chair of Sandwell Homes human resources committee congratulated Mr Oakley on the successes he had achieved, previously working for Sandwell Council and in more recent years, transforming Sandwell’s housing service as chief executive of Sandwell Homes.

He said: “Brian deserves our thanks and congratulations for a job well-done, his overall contribution and commitment to Sandwell has been very significant and of measureable benefit, particularly for the borough’s council tenants.”

On an interim basis, Paul Field, Sandwell Homes finance director, has been appointed by the Sandwell Homes board as interim chief executive.

Posted by Rashmi for Sandwell Homes