Title

PEOPLE

Cardiff chief to step down after 12 years

Cardiff Council chief executive Paul Orders has revealed he intends to step down after more than 12 years.

Paul Orders © Cardiff Council

Paul Orders © Cardiff Council

Cardiff Council chief executive Paul Orders has revealed he intends to step down after more than 12 years.

Orders, who was previously chief executive officer of Dunedin City Council in New Zealand for two years, said he looked back with ‘pride' in Cardiff Council's achievements.

He started as a policy research officer at Cardiff in 1998 and worked his way up the organisation to become a corporate director.

Orders said: ‘I felt that 12 years was long enough in the role and that the time was right to signal my intention to step down, allowing me time to focus on personal priorities while also enabling a transition ahead of the local elections next year. I hope to stay involved in some shape or form, supporting the sector in any way I can.

‘I've been fortunate to work alongside fantastic teams of officers and members whose commitment and know-how has been extraordinary. We have navigated significant challenges together – from sustained financial pressures to the unprecedented impact of the pandemic.'

Orders has a Ph.D in history from the University of Cambridge and an MA in area studies from the University of London University of London.

 

PEOPLE

LGR will succeed or fail on the frontline

By Charles Edwards | 24 June 2026

Reorganisation must protect frontline delivery, retain local knowledge and simplify services, says Charles Edwards – and success depends on supporting staff ...

PEOPLE

Leading through change

By Heather Jameson | 24 June 2026

Amid council political upheavals and an increasing equality, diversity and inclusion backlash, the PPMA’s new president Sandra Farquharson argues HR leadersh...

PEOPLE

'Fiscal devolution to be more likely with Burnham as PM'

By By Dan Peters | 24 June 2026

Fiscal devolution will ‘likely become more important’ with Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, experts have predicted.

PEOPLE

Coming to terms with political balance

By Colin Mellors | 24 June 2026

Sixty-four councils had indecisive election outcomes in May. Colin Mellors considers the complexities of negotiation, the politics behind enhanced scrutiny, ...

Dan Peters

Popular articles by Dan Peters