Cardiff council chief to retire

Byron Davies was awarded an OBE in 2008

The chief executive of Cardiff council has announced he is to retire after 17 years in the post.

Byron Davies, 62, said the time was right to "hand over the baton" to the next generation after 40 years of public service.

Mr Davies, one of the longest serving heads of local government, spent 30 years working in Cardiff.

The Welsh Local Government Association said Mr Davies had made a pivotal contribution to the capital city.

Mr Davies qualified as a chartered civil engineer and began his career as a highway engineer before transferring to professional management.

He became a chief officer and director of property services for South Glamorgan County Council in 1990 and was appointed its chief executive in 1992.

Following the reorganisation of the counties in 1995, he became the first chief executive of the new Cardiff County Council unitary authority.

He can look back with pride at the way the city has been transformed during his time at its helm Rodney Berman, council leader

Mr Davies said: "I have now been in public service for almost 40 years but I cannot continue forever.

"The recent completion of St David's represents a culmination of a regeneration process that has successfully secured Cardiff's place as a leading UK and European capital city.

"It follows on the momentum created by the regeneration of other parts of the city centre and of course Cardiff Bay.

"Looking forward, at this stage of my career, time does not allow me to take the council through the next decade.

"It is therefore right for me to hand over the baton to the next generation of officers who I know can take Cardiff to a new level and continue the city's outstanding success."

Mr Davies was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2008.

'Lasting testimony'

He will retire before the end of 2009. An interim appointment will be made before the post is filled full-time in 2010.

Council leader Rodney Berman said: "I wish to thank Byron for his absolute commitment over the years to Cardiff and its residents.

"He can look back with pride at the way the city has been transformed during his time at its helm."

The Welsh Local Government Association leader John Davies said: "For the past two decades Byron has been one of the major figures in local government, both in the capital city as well as one of Wales' most respected chief executives.

"He has made a pivotal contribution to the transformation of Cardiff into a major European city."