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• Knowsley's new Executive Director

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Knowsley Council has appointed Mike Harden as the new Executive Director of Corporate Resources.
Mike has worked in financial services at Knowsley for 10 years, spending the previous two of these as Borough Treasurer.

Mike’s career began at Sefton Council, where he qualified as an accountant. After joining Knowsley in 1997, he occupied a range of senior finance positions, including Deputy Director of Finance from 2000 – 2005, helping Knowsley’s approach to financial management gain recognition as exemplary by the Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA). His subsequent promotion to the role of Borough Treasurer then saw him take overall responsibility for the council’s total budget of around £340m per year.

During his time with Knowsley, Mike has been a key player in some of Knowsley’s most notable achievements. In 2002, he led the team which oversaw the creation of Knowsley Housing Trust, to whom management of the borough’s council homes was transferred. He also headed the transformation of the authority’s benefits service from a ‘poor’ inspection rating in 2002, to being acclaimed as one of the best in the country just two years later.

More recently, his work has ensured the council has avoided budget ‘crises’ whilst maintaining the lowest council tax on Merseyside.

Mike’s new responsibilities in Corporate Resources include finance, IT, customer services, democratic and legal services, trading standards, health and safety, environmental health and human resources. One of his major current projects is leading the council team looking at the possibility of a fundamental regeneration scheme in Kirkby town centre.

Mike Harden, Knowsley’s new Executive Director of Corporate Resources, said: “I am delighted to be taking up this new role within Knowsley and I will be looking to capitalise on the successes we have enjoyed in recent years. I will work to ensure that the council works harder and smarter for the continued benefit of local people.

“I believe that it is crucial for the council to have the ability and the flexibility to deliver against its objectives. We must make all the necessary resources available to improve service delivery in our neighbourhoods, and we will work closely with our partners to prevent the duplication of efforts.”

Cllr Ronnie Round,  Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “Mike’s appointment into the role of Executive Director for Corporate Resources is great news for Knowsley Council and for the people of the borough.

“For 10 years, Mike has successfully managed the financial affairs of the council, helping us to raise standards while keeping the council tax down.

“I am sure he will continue to serve the authority well in his new role, and would wish him all the best in this. As always, I look forward to working with him.”

Mike, who was born and raised in Liverpool, is married with an eight-year-old daughter. He is a season ticket holder at Liverpool FC and outside of work is a drummer in a rock band.

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