Rochdale Council is set to launch a recruitment process for a new chief executive following the resignation of James Binks at the end of last year.
A report due before full council on Wednesday 25 February 2026 outlines plans to begin a formal appointment process for the authority’s most senior officer.
Julie Murphy, director of corporate services, was appointed interim chief executive on 17 December 2025 for an initial six month period. Mr Binks resigned on 31 December 2025.
The council is legally required to designate one of its officers as Head of Paid Service under Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The function is carried out by the chief executive.
The report states that recruitment should begin over the coming months to allow sufficient time for what it describes as a robust process to attract high quality candidates. Any preferred candidate identified by the Chief Officer Employment Committee would need to be formally approved by full council in line with the authority’s constitution.
Alongside leading the council, the chief executive also serves as the borough’s Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer.
Since July 2022, the post holder has also carried out the role of NHS Greater Manchester Place Based Lead for the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale locality, supporting integration between health and social care services. That responsibility is currently being undertaken on an interim basis by the director of integrated care and health. The report confirms the permanent appointee will assume the NHS role in addition to council duties, subject to approval by the appropriate NHS body.
Council leader Neil Emmott, who has brought forward the report, states that appointing a suitable candidate is essential to maintain effective leadership across the authority and the wider locality partnership.
The report recommends that councillors approve the start of the recruitment process in line with the council’s framework and agree that Julie Murphy remains in post until a permanent chief executive is appointed.
Salary costs for the role will be met from within the existing approved staffing budget.
If approved, detailed recruitment arrangements and timescales will be developed in the coming months.
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