Owen Williams
Chief Executive of Calderdale MBC, Owen Williams, studied ONC Business Studies and Diploma in Management Studies at Bradford College in the 1990s.
Owen was appointed Chief Executive of
Calderdale in January 2008, at the age of
only 39, having joined Calderdale Council as
Deputy Chief Executive in February 2006. His
area of responsibility included performance
management, partnership working, local area
agreements and equalities.
Owen was born in Bradford and educated in
the city. Previously he was Chief Executive of
Rossendale Council, taking up that position in
May 2003 following the Audit Commission’s
critical report of the Council in the latter
part of 2002. As well as working in financial
services and telecommunications, Owen’s
previous experience includes being Director of
Marketing and Communications for Bradford
Council, where he worked to improve the
city’s image and profile in the wake of the
riots of 2001 through motivation, vision and
leadership; and being Strategic Planning
Director of a Leeds marketing agency.
“My first experience of Bradford College was
following the realisation that my 3 O Levels in
Maths, English and Technical Drawing were
only going to take me so far. I commenced
with a BTEC Ordinary National Certificate in
Business Studies and progressed through to
a Diploma in Management Studies. These
qualifications were the foundation for my
subsequent MBA and I’m now a year into
doing a PhD.
That said, it is important to note that
Bradford College was not just about academic
attainment. As well as having good lecturers, I
met some great friends (Neil, Gary and Nigel)
and we formed a strong learning bond which
meant that when any of us struggled with a
topic there was always somebody in the group
who could help out. This way of working has
stuck with me throughout my working life and
has helped me with my career development
to date.
I wish the College every success in the future.”
Photograph supplied by Calderdale Council