Torfaen & Blaenau Gwent Joint Opportunities
THIS ISN’T BUSINESS AS USUAL.
AND THAT’S THE POINT.
A once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to lead place‑shaping, planning and regeneration at scale - and help redefine how local government collaborates across the UK.
Across Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent in South Wales, our councils are doing something genuinely different.
We are the first and only federated councils in Wales, pioneering a new leadership model that brings two sovereign unitary authorities together around shared ambition, aligned leadership and collective impact. This is not a merger. It is a deliberate, innovative approach to collaboration - designed to unlock scale, capability and influence that neither council could achieve alone.
We are now seeking exceptional leaders from across the UK and beyond who want more than a conventional senior local government role. Leaders who want to build something new, operate at scale, and help shape a model of public service collaboration with national relevance.
Why this matters - nationally
Our federated model creates a rare leadership platform:
- Scale and mandate to shape place, planning and regeneration across two distinct boroughs
- Freedom to innovate, unencumbered by traditional organisational boundaries
- Influence beyond place, contributing to regional and national conversations about how public services evolve
Both councils are also the first Marmot councils in Wales, embedding a clear commitment to tackling inequality, improving wellbeing and focusing on long‑term outcomes through everything we do - from planning policy and regeneration to investment decisions and partnerships. This values‑led approach sits alongside significant, Deal‑backed programmes of investment, giving leaders the ability to turn strategic ambition into visible delivery.
The places you will shape
Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent are places of resilience, ambition and opportunity. With proud industrial histories, strong community identity and extraordinary landscapes, they are now focused on renewal - from town centre transformation and sustainable development to inclusive economic growth and improved life chances.
For leaders motivated by place, purpose and impact, this is an environment where your decisions will be seen, felt and lived by communities.
The leadership opportunity
By bringing leadership together across two authorities, you will have the scale and authority to:
- Shape regeneration and planning decisions that redefine town centres and neighbourhoods
- Build powerful partnerships across the public, private and third sectors
- Translate long‑term vision into tangible change for residents and businesses
At the heart of this model are four pivotal leadership roles:
- Director – setting strategic direction for place, regeneration and planning across both councils
- Deputy Directors (2) – driving delivery, programmes and transformation at scale
- Chief Planner – leading a future‑focused planning function that balances growth, sustainability and strong place identity
Together, these roles form a leadership team with real scope to influence outcomes locally — and shape thinking nationally.
Who this is for
These are not roles for someone looking to maintain the status quo.
It is for leaders with:
- The confidence and credibility to work across political, organisational and geographic boundaries
- The ambition to operate at scale and with visibility
- The desire to leave a legacy — not just of projects delivered, but of a better way of working
If you want your next role to matter - to communities, to the profession, and to the future of public services - this is a rare opportunity to do exactly that.
Stephen Vickers
Chief Executive
Torfaen County Borough Council & Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Stephen also recently spoke to the MJ about these new opportunities. Click below to read the full article.
