Lead commissioner at Birmingham City Council retires

Max Caller had been in the job since 2023

Birmingham City Council council house
Author: Jonny FreemanPublished 22nd Jul 2025

Birmingham City Council officially has a new lead commissioner, after the man who'd been doing the job retired immediately.

Tony McArdle is replacing Max Caller, who was appointed following the authority effectively declaring bankruptcy in 2023.

Birmingham City Council's leader John Cotton thanked him for his contribution in the job and said a change in personnel won't change the authority's core mission.

Cllr Robert Alden (Con, Erdington), Leader of the Opposition & Birmingham Local Conservatives, Said:

"While we thank Max Caller for his time here in Birmingham and wish him the best for the future, it is clearer than ever that the real change needed in Birmingham is a new administration."

A letter confirming the decision has been published by the government.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.