Neil Thornton appointed director of resources at Rochdale Council

Neil Thornton

Neil Thornton has been appointed Director of Resources at Rochdale Borough Council.

He is currently Director of Finance and Corporate Business at Salford City Council; his appointment follows the departure of Pauline Kane who retired earlier this year.

His previous roles include Chief Finance Officer at North East Lincolnshire Council, various roles at Barnsley Council in the early part of his career as well as 12 years in the private sector with accountants KPMG and RSM Robson Rhodes.

Councillor Allen Brett, Rochdale’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Neil has an exemplary record, a wealth of experience and is a very talented individual. His combination of public and private sector experience, mean that he brings leadership, drive, credibility, ideas and inspiration. I look forward to working with him in this very important role.”

Mr Thornton, who is due to start on 2 October, said: “A huge amount of progress been made in Rochdale in recent years, with more to come. It is a very ambitious council and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

A member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy, he is married with two children.