Eamonn Boylan has announced he is to retire as chief executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and of Transport for Greater Manchester.
He will step down after the May 2024 Mayoral Elections.
Boylan has been chief executive of GMCA since 2017, and of TfGM since 2019. He was previously chief executive of Stockport Metropolitan Council.
His retirement will bring the curtains down on what he called the “most challenging but also the most enjoyable” period of a career in public service spanning 42 years and multiple cities including Manchester, Sheffield, and London.
The authority leader’s six-and-a-half-year tenure saw him lead GMCA – which includes the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) – through both the tragic Manchester Arena bombing and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the outgoing chief executive’s achievements is the realisation of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s vision for a London-style integrated public transport system for the region – the Bee Network, which was rolled out recently.
In a statement, Boylan said: “I am immensely proud of what we have created together in Greater Manchester, and I hope that we continue to grow and prosper and make this city-region the best place to get on, grow up and get old.”
Mr Burnham said: “This is a sad day for GMCA and TfGM and for me personally. Eamonn has been a great support to me since I first took office in May 2017, and I have always appreciated his strong counsel over the years.
“He should be extremely proud of his legacy in our city-region and the difference his work has made to people’s lives.”
Joanne Roney, chief executive of Manchester City Council, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Boylan’s retirement would be “a big loss” and added that it had been a “privilege” to work with him.
The process to appoint Boylan’s replacement will begin this week.
Feature Image from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
