Chris Dunbar has left the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), where he was digital communications manager, to join Oldham Council as its first assistant director of strategy and public affairs.
He reports to chief executive Shelley Kipling and is responsible for ensuring that Oldham “has a clear, consistent and confident voice locally, regionally and nationally”, according to the council.
He has been tasked by the council with providing the “strategic leadership that connects our vision with delivery turning priorities into outcomes and ambition into influence”.
Dunbar’s remit spans strategy, policy, communications and public affairs. He leads a team of around 20 people and is responsible for a six figure budget.
He started his new role in early March after almost a decade at IOPC, prior to joining which in 2017 he was head of public relations at Wigan Council. Other previous roles include strategic communications lead at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; communications manager, City of Lincoln Council; and media and PR manager at the Inspiring healthy lifestyles charity.
Commenting on his new role, he told In.Comms: “I really enjoyed my nine years at the IOPC, it was challenging and rewarding in equal measure, and I worked with some very talented people. However, I’ve missed local government, I love helping to influence positive change to help improve the lives of people, and when you work in local government you get to see the fruits of your labour first hand.”
Dunbar added: “Joining Oldham Council has given me a chance to work for an organisation that is passionate about the place and its people – an opportunity I simply couldn’t resist.”
He said he has a “very busy few weeks ahead with lots of positive announcements on the horizon” and that he’s “stepping into the role at an exciting time when key elements of the £450m regeneration of the town centre are happening, including the opening of the new Oldham Market and event space The Loom.”
He explained how his “initial priority is to provide strategic support to the comms team and leadership to help deliver those big messages to all of our audiences; most importantly the people of Oldham.”