WLGA pays tribute to retiring Cardiff County Council Chief Executive

Responding to the announcement made today by Cardiff County Council Chief Executive, Byron Davies to retire from local government, WLGA Leader, Cllr 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. The array of new developments and large scale regeneration projects seen across the city, made possible by working closely with politicians across the political spectrum provide a lasting testimony to Byron's dedicated support for successive council administrations. On behalf of all political leaders across the WLGA I wish him a long and successful retirement and personally thank him for his considerable contribution to local government in Cardiff and on the wider Welsh and UK scene.”

WLGA Chief Executive, Steve Thomas added:

"As one of the longest serving Chief Executives in Wales Byron has been a huge WLGA supporter and it has been a privilege to work closely with him. One of Byron's greatest strengths has been his vision to develop Cardiff within an international context as well as his tireless work to build the city’s image and reputation. Furthermore, his contribution to SOLACE and his leadership of the European Federation of Local Authority Chief Executives (UDITE) is admired across local government, therefore marking his retirement from local government as the end of an era.

Byron leaves Cardiff Council as the new flagship John Lewis store is opened and the St David's 2 development completely revitalises the city centre. When you take into consideration many of the other high profile projects visible across the city including Cardiff City FC’s new stadium as well as the more longer term developments such as the transformation of Cardiff Bay, they amount to an enviable track record of achievement ‘on his watch’. I extend my best wishes and thanks to him personally and would also like to thank him on behalf of senior colleagues across Wales’ 22 councils."