Birmingham Council chief Deborah Cadman steps down

Deborah Cadman is to step down as chief executive of Birmingham City Council next week after nearly three years in the role. Cadman, who was appointed in 2021, will leave her role on 22 March. Her departure comes after the council issued a section 114 notice last year, effectively declaring bankruptcy. Since then, the council has been on a drive to raise crucial funds. Earlier this month, the council approved plans to make £300m of cuts to public services and a 21% rise in council tax. The council has also put several properties under the hammer in recent months. Graeme Betts, deputy chief executive and director of adult social care at the council, will take up the role on a temporary basis while plans are made for a permanent appointment. Cadman said: “It was always my intention to leave the council once the budget [for 2024/25] was agreed, and we had a clear route to recovery and improvement. Having secured that approval and having led on the development of the council’s new improvement and recovery plan, I feel that now is the right time to hand over the baton to a new chief executive.” She said she was “incredibly disappointed” with the council’s financial position, the “challenges” stemming from equal pay claims, and the failed implementation of its IT system. “I joined the council after a period of significant volatility that saw the organisation have four chief executives in only two years,” Cadman said. Cadman added that she was proud of the success of the Commonwealth Games in 2022, perceived as “one of the best ever”. She also highlighted that during her career she made permanent appointments to senior roles, including housing, and “worked hard to bring significant new investment into the city“. “I am confident that the groundbreaking Our Future City Plan will create the high-quality jobs and homes that Birmingham desperately needs,” she said. “It has been the honour of my life to be the chief executive of the city in which I was born and raised. I wish my colleagues every success in transforming the council into one that this great city deserves.” John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Deborah has led the council as chief executive and head of paid service over the course of the last three years. Her commitment and contribution have been acknowledged by staff, partners and government. These have been incredibly difficult times and no one can doubt Deborah’s commitment to the council, the city and the region.” Lead commissioner Max Caller said: “It is very challenging working with commissioners under a Statutory Intervention, and Deborah has responded effectively over the last six months. I wish Deborah well for the future as she continues her long and distinguished career in public service.”