Carolyn ready to make history

Carolyn Wilkins — set to become Oldham’s first female chief executive

OLDHAM is a step closer to appointing its first female chief executive.

A selection committee has recommended that Carolyn Wilkins - interim chief executive since January following the departure of Charlie Parker to Westminster City Council - should be given the role permanently. Her appointment is subject to full council approval.

Ms Wilkins joined Oldham Council as Mr Parker’s deputy in 2009 from Rossendale District Council, where she was chief executive for two and a half years.

Ms Wilkins was part of an all-women executive line-up — dubbed “Charlie’s Angels” — brought in by Mr Parker to help to get Oldham back on track.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “Carolyn has enjoyed the full confidence of members and officers.

“Carolyn’s priorities will be to drive our ambitious regeneration programme forward but also to help us ensure we get those basic services right, like clean streets and pothole repairs, and changing our relationship with communities so that we all work better and closer together.

“The council needs to develop a more open and responsive approach. Carolyn has already demonstrated all those qualities in her own style and that’s why we believe she is exactly the right person to take Oldham Council to the next level.”