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Joanne Roney

Joanne Roney
OBE

Chief executive
for Manchester City Council

Incumbent

Assumed office
1 April 2017

Monarch Elizabeth II

Prime Minister Theresa May

Preceded by Howard Bernstein

Chief executive
for Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

In office
July 2008 – March 2017

Personal details

Born13 September 1961 (age 61)
Shard End, Birmingham, England

Relatives3 brothers, 2 sisters

Alma mater Birmingham University

Joanne Roney OBE (born 13 September 1961) is the current Chief executive for Manchester City Council.

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MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL CEO

Career

Roney was an apprentice at 16 with Birmingham City Council's housing department. She later went on to become Director of Housing for Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council, West Yorkshire. She then worked for 10 years as Sheffield City Council's Executive Director of housing and community care where she was involved in the regeneration of Park Hill estate by Urban Splash.[5] While working her way through the ranks she studied part-time at Birmingham University and gained an MBA in public sector management.[4]

Roney became Chief executive for Wakefield Metropolitan District Council in July 2008.[6]

In 2009, the Anglo Irish Bank, which was funding half of the £200 million need for Trinity Walk shopping centre, Wakefield, collapsed and the developer, Modus, went into administration.[7]

Roney devised a rescue package of new finance and in 2010, the scheme was sold to a consortium (Sovereign Land, AREA Property Partners, and Shepherd Construction).[8] She helped the council to create its own housing company, Bridge Homes, in joint partnership with WDH construction in 2014.[8] Roney also oversaw the construction and opening of the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery.[9]

Roney took up her position as chief executive of Manchester City Council in April 2017

I want to be rooted in Manchester. I really need to be able to feel the city and know the city

Anyone who fears the next Manchester City Council chief executive won’t understand housing and regeneration can think again. Born and bred on a council estate in Birmingham, Roney joined the local council’s housing team as an apprentice at 16, studying at night school to earn her MBA in public sector management from Birmingham City University. During her nine-year tenure as executive director of housing and community care at Sheffield City Council (1999-2008), she was instrumental in saving Park Hill estate by negotiating a deal with Urban Splash. 

The self-described “housing professional” will have a loaded in-tray when she takes up office in Manchester Town Hall in April, not least, getting to know Greater Manchester’s first metro mayor and ensuring the success of Manchester’s health devolution. Will housing and regeneration take a back seat?

“Manchester has been very clear that what they’ve been looking for in their recruitment of their new chief exec is someone who can say, ‘Look, we know the city is doing incredibly well, has massive plans for regeneration, and is a very exciting place to be’. 

“The challenge now is, are we maximising the benefit of all of that for our residents and how do we make the most of fitting together those two agendas? So I think, health is a dimension of that as is housing, so is skills, so is training, so is transport.”

She warns at the start of the interview that she is not ready to “wax lyrical” about the intricacies of the Manchester housing market. But she is spending her weekends looking for a home to rent in the city centre for herself and her dearly loved rescue cat Tiger, so she can get to know it better.

“I want to rent first because this is a job to spend a lot of my time on and I want to be rooted in Manchester. I really need to be able to feel the city and know the city.” Once she is settled, she plans to sell her home on the outskirts of Sheffield and buy something in the city.

If she is not prepared to be too specific, she does have strong views on what should be in the government’s housing white paper – the long-awaited document outlining a “radical” shake-up of housing policy under prime minister Theresa May’s administration.

“Flexibility of housing policy and housing funding,” for Greater Manchester should be priorities, she says. “Housing investment alongside other investment and flexibility of approach is very much what I’ve pushed for all through my career. It would be great to see that in Manchester.”

Starter homes have a role in “some places”, but a neat “one-size-fits-all policy for housing doesn’t always work with local housing markets,” she says. On homes for sale versus build-to-rent in the city centre, she thinks both have their place and it’s “all about balance”.

One controversial scheme she is likely to have to advise the council on is Gary Neville’s St Michael’s towers, which have received more than 2,000 objections in a petition but have been defended by council leader Sir Richard Leese. Does she think the developer should rethink the plans in the face of so much opposition?

I’ve always been struck by Manchester’s relentless ambition really

 I think I’d need to see what the objections are about really. As always with these things, what’s the ultimate outcome trying to achieve here? I’ve worked in housing all my life. Of course, you have to balance these environmental and social impacts, with a need to do more housing. Because the truth is, we need more housing. Manchester’s population is growing, it’s anticipated to grow by 600,000 in the next five-10 years. So there needs to be some form of housing, always keeping an eye on what’s being delivered and what the market is really saying is important.”

A key part of Roney’s role will be driving forward the devolution agenda as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Would she like to see greater devolution? “I’ve always been struck by Manchester’s relentless ambition, so whatever is on the table now in terms of a devolution agreement with the mayor, I’m sure is just a starting point,” she says.

“Quite rightly, local government needs to evidence that it delivers for government. It has to deliver, not just ask for more money or freedom and flexibilities to devolve power. We need to deliver and then ask for more.”

As lead executive for skills funding at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and a member of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, she knows what it’s like to negotiate with other council chief executives. But if an Amazon or a Google wanted to set up a new European HQ in the North of England, would she fight tooth and nail to make sure they came to Manchester? Roney smiles: “In some instances, we might all have to compete and show our best offer and the choice will be made.”

But she insists she is behind the Northern Powerhouse agenda. “It’s not the success of Manchester at all costs to other areas. That’s not a long-term strategy, is it? So the principle has to be that we want to see everywhere benefit and grow.”

The role Roney is stepping into will look rather different from the one left by Bernstein. With an elected mayor in place, the council chief executives will be reporting to the combined authority. “I think we will all work through who does what, where,” Roney says. “I think the public sector now is operating in a very different way to perhaps how people realise. We’re much more collaborative and collegiate and collective and getting the ambitions delivered, with maximum benefits for residents.”

During his 18 years at the top of Manchester council, Bernstein became known as much for his achievements as for his personal style. What will Roney’s leadership style be? She laughs and says I should ask someone else who has worked with her. Industry reports are positive. 

Mark Latham, regeneration director at Urban Splash, who remembers her involvement in Park Hill, says: “She and her team understood partnerships and the drivers that commercial organisations have but also getting the right thing for the city, so I see her appointment as fantastically positive.”

A survey of Roney’s Wakefield office suggests Star Wars memorabilia could replace the Manchester City totems that adorn Bernstein’s town hall lair. A sign hanging on a door of her office is revealing: “I’m not bossy, I just have better ideas.”

Roney will be at MIPIM Cannes, but says she will be keeping a low profile until her tenure officially begins. I ask her if she is looking forward to the Manchester pavilion, which will position the city on the Riviera for the first time, in between Paris and London. She is, but says she might be spending more time on the low-key West Yorkshire stand. As I get up to leave, Roney adds, “Maybe with a woman in charge, we could have a Northern Powerhouse pavilion next time.”  She might be a Brummie, but she has plenty of Northern grit.

SAM BROWN

Sam Brown has long been regarded as one of Manchester's pioneering Soul DJ's. Sam has worked for numerous radio stations across the UK, including Key 103 and Jazz FM. Sam began his DJ live in the 80's at the now defunct Placemate 7 as their official Jazz Funk DJ.

Over the last 20 years, Sam has worked with and promoted some of the biggest names in the Soul and Jazz Funk fraternity, including Patti LaBelle, The Whispers, LL Cool J, Alexander O'Neal, Shalamar, Odyssey, Joyce Sims & Meli'sa Morgan. 
Sam's love for Soul & Funk goes back to the start of the Soul movement.

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monday and friday mornings
10 till 12 

saturday evenings 6 till 8pm

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Every major city needs A good radio stationnetwork

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Mike has been in the radio industry for around 20 years both on and off air. Off air Mike was a technical engineer for a local radio group, but having a long life passion for music, Mike was itching to get on the airwaves. Since then, Mike has had the pleasure of broadcasting on a number of commercial radio stations across the North-West of England, as well as supporting voluntary community radio too.

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Sam Brown has long been regarded as one of Manchester's pioneering Soul DJ's. Sam has worked for numerous radio stations across the UK, including Key 103 and Jazz FM. Sam began his DJ live in the 80's at the now defunct Placemate 7 as their official Jazz Funk DJ.

Over the last 20 years, Sam has worked with and promoted some of the biggest names in the Soul and Jazz Funk fraternity, including Patti LaBelle, The Whispers, LL Cool J, Alexander O'Neal, Shalamar, Odyssey, Joyce Sims & Meli'sa Morgan. 
Sam's love for Soul & Funk goes back to the start of the Soul movement. 

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Simon first caught the radio bug in 1999 when he joined Hope FM for a 28 day broadcast in the summer doing a Saturday show. Since then he was involved with 16 – 25 year olds in Berkshire, UK, helping to facilitate a youth radio station, and also in 2006 another youth radio station involving young people on a short term mission with YWAM. He was also involved in hospital radio in Nuneaton, England for 3 years presenting request shows, breakfast show.

Simon presents the mid-morning show Tuesday to Thursday, 10-12.

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Gordon has been a DJ since 1978. Gordon gained his passion for music from working as a mobile DJ on the pub and club scene. Gordon has an interest in sound and lighting installations and once worked as an AV engineer.

You can hear Gordon live on Panacea, weekdays on his 'Feel Good Afternoon Show', Midday to 3pm.

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Jay has a lot of DJ experience and a wealth of musical knowledge. He started working as a DJ in his mid-20’s and ran his own mobile DJ business working across the North-West. As he developed as a DJ he ended up getting a warm up slot a The Paradox in Aintree, Liverpool. Jay got an understanding of various DJ styles which helped him to decide what kind of DJ he wanted to be.

Jay was given the opportunity to work as a volunteer for Radio City 96.7 along with working on various roadshows. He was introduced to a variety of presenters and worked alongside them on various shows. Eventually, Jay moved to Warrington and worked as a DJ at various late night venues across the town including; PJ’s, The Postern Gate and Breeze Bar. Jay achieved an excellent reputation as an all round DJ.

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Rob Lees has been a DJ since his early teens. His first time introducing a record on air was on BBC GMR back in 1999. He has presented on a number of radio stations and has an interest in the ‘engineering’ side of things.

Rob was a mobile DJ for 15 years, performing in venues all across the UK. Rob has a full time job working as an airline pilot, currently flying a Boeing 757 for a leading UK airline.

Rob has an extensive knowledge of all genres played on Panacea Radio and is a keen collector of 12″ singles. Being an international airline pilot, Rob regularly trawls through record shops worldwide, finding more music to add to his collection.

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The perfect mix of Easy Listening Soul, RnB and General Soulful Love Songs with Mike Mason

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Join renowned DJ Sam Brown every Saturday from 6pm to 8pm. Sam Brown is a veteran club and radio broadcaster from Manchester. The 'Roots n Reggae' show is very popular and widely listened to in Kingston Jamaica, Bogota Columbia and across the UK & Europe.

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Chris is our Spirit Medium and presents the 'Spirit Medium Monday' show on Panacea Radio every Monday from 8pm to 10pm. Chris has seen spirit for 43 years and has worked as a medium for over 29 years in various locations from churches to the psychic circle on living TV. Chris has also been on various TV channels and radio stations in the UK. Chris is in the process of publishing his first book “Darkness to Light”.

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David Lawrenson has been presenting on the radio for a long time and has presented on a variety of stations in the North of England. He has always had radio passion and has been working in radio production for just as long.

When not on the radio, David puts his voice to work as a voiceover artist, spins records and fills dancefloors as a professional DJ. He also causes chaos as a children’s entertainer!

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The hottest new Soul on Panacea, every Wednesday from 8pm-10pm. We also look back through the last 5 years at some of the biggest hits. 

Join Rob Lees every Sunday from 3:30pm to 6pm for The Smooth Jazz Top 30. You will hear brand new music from the official Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts.

Heading 1Rob has been messing about with records and tapes since he was old enough to tie his own shoelaces. He was radio mad as a teen and joined a hospital radio station collecting requests around the wards. After a stint as a mobile DJ he went into a non-radio career whilst developing a deep love of 80's Soul music and Jazz Funk. More recently he has returned behind the microphone on his local volunteer run station and after many years of friendship with Panacea Radio, Rob is delighted to join our on air team too. Rob presents our Soul Train every Tuesday evening between 8pm and 10pm.

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Kate is new to the radio scene but whilst studying performing arts in school and college, her passion for radio and TV came alive. With a good mentor in Mike she will soon learn the ropes and bring some fun to the station. In her spare time, Kate enjoys equestrian sports.

Eddy Edmondson started a mobile disco, 'The Sound of Soul' when he got his first car, over 50 years ago. His first night was in a local hall when he had only 34 records, so he played the B sides first, and the A sides later on. He found the Northern Soul scene by accident in 1969 at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester. He then frequented most of the Northern Clubs over the next 20 years. Although he still loves his Northern Soul, his main passion nowadays is So Soulful 70’s, and he runs a club in Leyland playing just that.

In 1998, he started a holiday for Soul fans in Tenerife, when just 60 like-minded soul fans had the time of their lives. Soul in the Sun was born. It has then built up to over 1100 going in November 2019. 

Back in May 2022, they moved to Sands Beach Resort in Lanzarote which is now the regular home for the twice yearly event. Details can be found at www.soulinthesun.com.

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Join DJ Bobby every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm for his 'Slow Jams' show. Enjoy a history lesson and hear a modern twist to R&B soul ballads. DJ Bobby has been around the R&B scene since the 90's playing bars, clubs and festivals.

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James Glover was born in the jungle and raised by chimpanzees who had nothing but a banana mountain, an old dansette record player, and a huge Northern Soul and classic Jazz Funk collection. He was rescued in early 1985 and we can be thankful for that as otherwise we would not have had the opportunity to hear what such a musical up bringing in the jungle could develop into.
Now hailing from the North west of England he has become one of the hottest 'On the the radar' tunesmiths and certainly has a knack of making the house rock. Playing a wide variety of venues across Ibiza, the European continent and closer to home playing the likes of Sankeys, London's Vanilla club and also playing to huge

crowds at the legendary Creamfields, Parklife and Neighbourhood he is certainly no chump when it comes to helping a crowd to get their groove on.

He also co runs a successful promotion company called Giraffe and through this has attracted some of the biggest names from across the globe to play in his home town that has a dedicated crowd of disciples who know where the parties at.

No slouch James also produces his own work which is gaining favour with DJ's and fans alike and getting support from some of the big players including DJ Sneak who charted his latest release 'El Sodino' in his top ten last year and also featured it on his Miami music conference mixes.

So there you have, the kid from the jungle did good and if you get the chance to get your groove on every Friday night on Panacea 8pm

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Panacea Radio

Launched in 2020, Panacea plays the very best Soul, Funk & Groove. We also have specialist shows for Northern Soul, Motown and a weekly Smooth Jazz Top 30 show.

So what makes Panacea Radio different? Panacea Radio has an excellent team of presenters who share a passion for the music we play. We play music 24/7 but with presenter dialogue and interaction. Panacea Radio is available on a number of platforms including: DAB for Manchester, Glasgow & Newcastle, Online, Amazon Alexa, Google Play, Sonos and our Panacea Radio App, playing Jazz Funk and Smooth Jazz, attracting thousands of listeners weekly.

Many people ask “Where did the name Panacea Radio come from”. Well, we wanted to create a ‘remedy’ for those that enjoy this great music, hence the name ‘Panacea’.

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Rob Lees has been a DJ since his early teens. His first time introducing a record on air was on BBC GMR back in 1999. He has presented on a number of radio stations and has an interest in the ‘engineering’ side of things.

Rob was a mobile DJ for 15 years, performing in venues all across the UK. Rob has a full time job working as an airline pilot, currently flying a Boeing 757 for a leading UK airline.

Rob has an extensive knowledge of all genres played on Panacea Radio and is a keen collector of 12″ singles. Being an international airline pilot, Rob regularly trawls through record shops worldwide, finding more music to add to his collection.

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