A TOP job previously held by a former council chief executive who now leads Wales’ coal tips body has been filled.
Christina Harrhy was most recently joint director of economy for both Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent borough councils before taking up her £120,000 a year appointment as chief executive of the newly-formed Disused Tips Authority for Wales.
Before her joint appointment by the Gwent councils which have a federation agreement Ms Harrhy had been chief executive of Caerphilly Borough Council from 2018 but left the post, after a year long absence, in October 2024 with a pay out confirmed earlier this year as costing £280,654.
Her former role working for both Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent will be filled by former Herefordshire council officer Roger Allonby who was appointed to the role following a meeting of the joint appointments committee for both councils on Wednesday, July 1.
Mr Allonby’s post as joint head of economy and place comes with a salary band of £112,639 to £121,299 a year.
The neighbouring councils have been working on a joint economic development plan, named the blueprint for growth, which intends identifying sites for employment and housing as well as developing transport links.
Mr Allonby is described as having more than 25 years experience working in economic development and regeneration, having previously worked for the UK Government, a regional development agency and for the past seven years at Herefordshire Council where he has been the director for growth.
He has also been responsible for the delivery of national rural socio-economic programmes; the development and delivery of major infrastructure programmes across the West Midlands; and the regional lead for tourism and culture.
At Herefordshire Council, where Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent’s joint chief executive Stephen Vickers was a senior officer before taking the top job at Pontypool’s Civic Centre in July 2021, Mr Allonby had responsibility for strategic and development planning, housing development, economic development, building control and regeneration.
He was also the strategic lead for major projects including the Herefordshire Enterprise Zone, the development of Ross on Wye Enterprise Park, and a new £20 million Museum and Art Gallery.
Mr Allonby said: “I’m delighted to be joining Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Councils and excited by the vision to improve the lives of local people through inclusive growth and support for those in greatest need. I can’t wait to join the team.”
