Appointment of new Director Children's Services Manchester City Council

Mike Livingstone will take over as Director of Children's Services Manchester City Council from 1 April, 2011.

He has been appointed to the position by an Appointment Panel of the Council's Personnel Committee, following an all party interview process, and will take up his post when the current Director, Pauline Newman, retires at the end of March.

Mike joined Manchester City Council as Assistant Director of Children's Services in 2007 and is currently Deputy Director of Children's Services. He has worked within the Children's Services arena for over 25 years, both within local authorities and nationally.

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, said: "Mike has a strong record of senior leadership and service improvement and will provide the necessary continuity and stability required whilst driving forward the delivery of an ambitious transformational plan for Children's Services in the city."

Mike Livingstone said: "I am very pleased to have been appointed to the post of Director.

"I have always had the utmost respect for Pauline Newman and have really enjoyed working alongside her, both as her Assistant Director and more recently as Deputy Director. I wish her all the very best for the future.

"My main priority as Director is to build upon the significant progress that has already been made across the Department during Pauline's time as Director and to ensure that we make further improvements in our provision for children and young people.

"I look forward to working even more closely with staff in the Department and across the Council, with partner agencies, with our schools and academies, and with colleagues in the voluntary and independent sector. Together I hope we can make a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and families in the city."

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member, Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "A lot has already been achieved during the last few years in the city in terms of improving outcomes for children and young people. There is however still more to be done in order to meet the needs of some of our most vulunerable families in the city.

"As part of the senior management team of Children's Services over the last four years Mike is very well placed now to head up these improvements that are going to see a transformation in the services provided to children and families in the city over the next few years."