Manchester City Council appoints adult care director

Manchester City Council has appointed Peter Tomlin as strategic director for adult social services, with the role commencing in March 2026.

Peter joins the council from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, where he spent seven years and most recently served as corporate director of adult social care and all-age commissioning. 

He replaces Bernie Enright, who is retiring after leading Manchester’s adult services directorate since 2018.

With a career spanning 35 years across local government, the private sector and charities, Peter brings extensive experience in adult social care, commissioning and service transformation. 

He began his career as a residential care worker and has held senior roles in several post-industrial communities across the UK.

In his new role, Peter will be responsible for adult social care provision in Manchester, with a focus on integrated, community-based services that support independence and improved outcomes for residents.

Peter said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me and I am very much looking forward to getting started at Manchester City Council.  

“Virtually my entire career has been devoted to social care. 

“It is something that I feel passionately about not only from a professional standpoint, but from a personal one. 

“I see this job as one of enabling and facilitating – getting the best possible outcome for the people that we serve. 

“We often need to look no further than the communities we serve to find new ideas and innovation and I want to bring that ethos to my new position in Manchester. 

“As a still qualified and registered social worker myself I know first-hand just how vital the job of the care sector is, and I want to ensure that Manchester can continue to deliver an excellent standard of care for the people who rely on us.” 

Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Our Adults Directorate is one of the most far-reaching as well as one of the most important directorates operating in Manchester City Council.

“Day after day our social care staff are in our communities making a huge difference to the residents who need support to enable them to live independent lives. 

“Since 2017 we have been on a significant journey to improve our services for adults in the city and to bring together new and better ways of working between health and social care.  

“The skills and experience that Peter is bringing to this role will be invaluable in helping lead Manchester into the next chapter of our journey to deliver some of the best services in the country.”

Tom Stannard, chief executive of Manchester City Council, added: “We were impressed with not only the breadth of Peter’s experience but the personal connection he has to the social care sector. 

“We believe this is a defining characteristic and one that I am sure will help him in the delivery of better outcomes and better lives for our residents.” 

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