Tom Riordan CBE receives honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University

In his career to date, Tom has spent almost 30 years working in senior public sector roles in Leeds – first at Yorkshire Forward and then as chief executive of Leeds City Council for 14 years to 2024. His most recent role as a permanent secretary in the Department for Health and Social Care sees him working from Leeds and London. He was awarded a CBE for services to local government in the 2020 New Year Honours.

Tom Riordan CBE said:

“It is a huge privilege to receive this award – thank you so much to the university and everyone who’s supported me. I’ve worked in Leeds for most of my career and love the city and the people I worked with at the council, to whom I am indebted. I also owe so much to the partners across the public, private and third sectors who built the ‘Team Leeds’ culture. None epitomise that partnership ethos more than Leeds Beckett, a brilliant university that enables many local students to achieve their potential. I consider the award a tribute to the public service workers that all CEOs rely on every day.”

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University and chair of the Leeds Anchor Network, said:

“Tom Riordan’s career dedicated to public service is an inspiring story and exemplifies many of the values we hold at the heart of our university community. His commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in society continues to make a positive difference in the city today and I know that his championing of care leavers and mental health will resonate with many people in Leeds and beyond.

“The university is delighted to honour Tom’s contribution to the city and region through this award. I’d like to personally thank Tom for everything he’s done to support the city, and particularly for his commitment to the Leeds Anchor Network.”

Tom was born and educated in Northallerton, spending periods in care before the age of four due to his parents’ mental health issues. He attended Trinity College Oxford, graduating in Modern History in 1989 and joined the civil service ‘fast stream’ graduate intake the following year, where he specialised in environmental policy, representing the UK in international negotiations on climate change and endangered species. Following his MBA from Imperial College, Tom moved to Leeds in 1997 and set up the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. The agency supported 10,000 businesses during the recession, completing award-winning regeneration developments and pioneering low carbon initiatives.

 

He was appointed as Leeds City Council chief executive in 2010 and during his tenure, Channel 4 opened headquarters in the city and the Bank of England expanded its presence; Leeds hosted the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France; and several landmark regeneration projects were delivered, including the first direct arena, Trinity Leeds and the transformation of South Bank. Tom worked alongside the council’s political leadership to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and communities, championing the ‘Team Leeds’ approach bringing city partners, organisations and communities together to make a real difference to people’s lives.

During the COVID pandemic, Tom worked with the UK government from May 2020 for three months, leading the ‘contain’ strand of the national test and trace programme.

He has held various roles promoting local and central government engagement. Tom is married with two children, is a lifelong Middlesbrough supporter and is now a Trustee of the club’s charity foundation.

Tom Riordan CBE received his honorary doctorate during Leeds Beckett’s graduation week in July. Nearly 8,000 students will graduate from the university this summer.