Stella Manzie has been named as the new Chief Executive and Town Clerk of Coventry City Council.

Ms Manzie, currently Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council, said

"I am very excited about my appointment at Coventry City Council. At a time of great social and economic change, Coventry must be one of the most exciting places in the country to be.

"I am looking forward to working with councillors, employees, local residents and the council's many partners in business, the public and voluntary sectors."

Leader of the Council Nick Nolan said:

"I am delighted that Stella has accepted this challenging post. Her appointment sends out a powerful signal that not only can we expect a change of style at Coventry but perhaps also a change of direction.

"From an original list of nearly 60 people drawn from across continents and interests including private, public sector, statutory, voluntary and local authority we finally after a lot of anguish came to six outstanding candidates.

"It was a difficult choice but the selection panel was unanimous in its recommendation of Ms Manzie and we look forward to working with her as Coventry builds its future."

The appointment is due to be formally endorsed by City Council at its meeting on 24 May. Ms Manzie is expected to take up her post in September.

Until that time Cathy Goodwin will continue as acting Chief Executive and Town Clerk, while also maintaining her role as Strategic Director (Lifelong
Learning).

Ms Goodwin has held this position since the former Chief Executive Iain Roxburgh retired at the end of April.

BIOGRAPHY - STELLA MANZIE

Stella Manzie is currently Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council, which is a Unitary Authority based in Newbury.

Before that she was Chief Executive of Redditch Borough Council for five years.

During a period as a Management Consultant Stella also worked for a number of London Boroughs and a range of other public sector organisations.

Her early career saw her working for Birmingham City Council, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) and the Association of County Councils.

Stella was appointed to OBE for services to Local Government.

Stella was educated at leading Scottish independent school Fettes College in Edinburgh before going on to Cambridge University where she gained a first degree in English. She also holds a Masters Degree in Social Sciences (Local Government and Health).

She has contributed to various publications, notably "Lighthouses Not Spotlights" for SOLACE and her essay "Citizenship - Not a Status, But a Culture" won the Kieron Walsh Memorial Prize, University of Birmingham in 1996/7.

Stella has expressed particular interest in the social inclusion agenda in Coventry.

SEE ALSO: [24 OCT 00] COVENTRY'S SIR HUMPHREY TO RETIRE