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Trafford names new CEO after Grant swaps northern council for Northamptonshire

The chief executive role at Trafford Council, which had been left vacant after former boss Theresa Grant stepped down in July when the Labour Party took control of the authority, has now been filled.

Sara Todd, who is currently deputy chief executive at Manchester City Council, will take over Trafford’s top job at the end of February next year if the decision is approved by the Full Council.

The news was announced by Trafford leader Andrew Western after a “rigorous recruitment process” and will be discussed at a meeting on 28 November.

Born in east Manchester and educated in the city, Todd has already worked in three other Greater Manchester councils during her career – including in Bolton, Oldham and Tameside – occupying a range of planning, economic development, and regeneration roles over the last two decades.

In her current role, she oversees a wide portfolio spanning highways, waste and street cleaning, libraries, community safety, leisure, events, communications, policy, performance, and research.

At Trafford, she will take over from interim boss Jim Taylor, the chief executive of Salford City Council, who had been working in a dual role at both councils for the past five months.

Todd said the move is a “fantastic opportunity as these are exciting times at Trafford with so much happening across the borough.”

“I am really looking forward to the challenge of improving the lives of residents and developing businesses,” she added.

Council leader Western said the role attracted applications from high-calibre people, but Todd stood out, impressing the recruitment panel and garnering the support of all political parties.

“There is no doubt local government continues to face many challenges, but Sara has a wealth of experience and the skills we need to help make Trafford an even better place to live and work, and I am looking forward to working with her,” he explained.

Grant, the former CEO, has been at the helm of the struggling Northamptonshire County Council since stepping down from Trafford alongside corporate director Joanne Hyde.