About the council

Council structure

Chief Executive
Martin Swales
0191 424 7010
Chief Executive's office


  • Corporate Director
    Children and Families
    Helen Watson
    0191 424 7701

  • Head of Early Intervention & Safeguarding
    Amanda Bradley
    0191 424 4749

  • Head of Change Management
    Mike Conlon
    0191 424 7765

  • Head of Social Inclusion & Achievement
    Peter Cutts
    0191 424 7697

  • Director of Public Health
    Marietta Evans
    0191 283 1039

  • Head of Health and Social Inclusion
    Keith Hannah
    0191 427 2092

  • Head of Adult Social Care
    Jane Robinson
    0191 424 7670

  • Head of Transition & Wellbeing
    Christine Smith
    0191 424 7757

  • Corporate Director
    Business and Area Management
    Patrick Melia
    0191 424 7499

  • Acting Head of Legal Services Mike Harding
    0191 424 7203

  • Head of Strategic Partnership
    Alan Holt
    0191 424 6600

  • Head of Pensions
    Stephen Moore
    0191 424 4119

  • Head of Finance
    Stuart Reid
    0191 424 7046

  • Acting Head of Sustainable Communities
    Ron Weetman
    0191 427 2681

  • Interim Corporate Director
    Economic Regeneration
    Charles Green
    0191 424 7969

  • Head of Culture and Neighbourhoods
    Tony Duggan
    0191 424 7764

  • Head of Housing Strategy and Regulatory Services
    George Mansbridge
    0191 424 7566

  • Head of Enterprise and Regeneration
    Rick O’Farrell
    0191 424 7541

  • Head of Economic Growth
    Vacant post
  • Assistant Chief Executive
    Keith Harcus
    0191 424 7330
    Chief Executive's office

  • Head of Policy, Performance and Partnerships and Communications
    Paul Robinson
    0191 424 7491