“I will lead with all my integrity, I will lead with all my compassion…I will lead”

Joanne Roney CBE is the Managing Director of Birmingham City Council. She took over at a difficult time for the organisation, after the council declared itself bankrupt in September 2023.

Joanne is on a mission to rebuild and transform the city, and brings years of experience to the role. She was previously the first female CEO of Manchester City Council, where she navigated challenges like the Manchester Arena bomb in 2017 and later, COVID-19.

Hosts Peter Jackson and Matt Smith hear how Joanne has made her way in Birmingham City Council - from a 16-year-old apprentice in the Housing department all the way to the top role. They discuss her vision for rebuilding an organisation in crisis, by listening to frontline staff and creating a culture of accountability. Joanne also shares her insights on the unpredictability of public service; the importance of resilience, and how her early experiences shaped her leadership style.