The Council has appointed Sarah Broad as the new Director of Policy, Performance and Reform following a highly competitive recruitment process this week.
The position plays a key role in supporting the next chapter of Manchester’s success as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe – and a vital engine of growth for the UK, attracting major international business and investment.
Sarah will lead improvements to the quality and efficiency of services across the city, delivering culture change and inspiring innovation, and will embed a data and evidence-led approach to decision making.
The role will help drive the Our Manchester strategy – the vision for the city - over the next decade through key policy and strategic initiatives to address challenges facing our residents.
Sarah will work closely with the Leader, Chief Executive, and Deputy Chief Executive, and lead strategic partnerships across the city, Greater Manchester, and nationally.
With close to 20 years of local government and public sector experience, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to this role. And having worked as Deputy Director of Adult Social Services at Manchester City Council since 2020, she understands intimately some of the challenges facing Manchester people and has led nationally recognised service change and transformation. Her deep understanding of the challenges facing Manchester residents will be invaluable in her new position.
Previously, Sarah has worked as Strategic Lead for Reform and Innovation – reporting directly into a former Director of Policy, Performance and Reform – and previously in programme, partnership and commissioning roles at GM Active, Co-operatives UK and in two London Borough councils, as well as in an advisory role at Auckland Council in New Zealand.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It’s an exciting time for Manchester and this role is highly influential in the direction of travel and vision of our city. We want Manchester to be a place where all our residents can be supported to share in our success – and at a time when we are seeing huge confidence in Manchester and significant growth, this position will play an important role in the city’s future.”
Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “I look forward to working closely with Sarah in the coming months and years with a shared vision to make sure our residents have what they need to succeed in the future, supported by great services and ambitious programmes.
“Sarah will play a pivotal role in delivering the Our Manchester strategy—the city’s long-term vision—over the next decade. Here work will focus on key policy and strategic initiatives aimed at tackling the challenges facing residents, including reducing inequalities, narrowing the economic and skills gap, and creating a fairer city where all Manchester people can thrive. This will also include prioritising the development of a public service reform programme for the next decade, building on the Council’s long-standing commitment to early intervention, prevention, and integrated services.”
Sarah said: “I have spent a large part of my career in Manchester and the wider region and I am passionate about delivering for the people of this city. Manchester is brimming with confidence and I look forward to supporting the city’s ongoing success – while also tackling head on some of the key challenges facing our residents.”