CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is pleased to announce that Mike O’Donnell, former finance director of London Borough of Camden, has joined the Institute as associate director of local government. Mike is a longstanding CIPFA member and has held a number of key roles across local government during the course of a distinguished career.
Mike joins the team as CIPFA ramps up its work on developing policy and support that will help embed financial resilience across local government.
"Mike’s experience and his deep understanding of public sector finance, coupled with the widespread respect that those in the sector have for him, will be a tremendous asset for CIPFA,” explained Rob Whiteman, CIPFA Chief Executive.
“We are at a real crunch point for many councils up and down the country, which for CIPFA means doing everything we can to ensure finance teams have the support and resources they need to not only balance the books, but have in place the medium term policies to deliver sustainable public services. Mike’s involvement will be invaluable.”
Mike stepped down from his role as executive director corporate services at Camden Borough Council in December 2017 after 12 years. The last nine months of his time there had been split between Camden and Birmingham City Council, where he was interim chief financial officer.
During his career, which has included finance roles with London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Swindon Borough Council, Mike has also chaired the London Financial Advisory Committee, sat as a non-executive director for London Authorities Mutual and been president of the Society of London Treasurers.
Speaking of his appointment, Mike said: “CIPFA’s role in supporting public finance professionals is more important than ever, particularly across local government, where funding pressures and increasing service demand is adding huge stress on councils’ ability to deliver services.
“An important part of my work with CIPFA will be to discuss with finance leaders the challenges they face and to maintain the strong ties of dialogue between the sector, CIPFA and government policy makers.”
ENDS
About CIPFA
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. CIPFA shows the way in public finance globally, standing up for sound public financial management and good governance around the world as the leading commentator on managing and accounting for public money.