Roger Ellis
Chief Executive, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Roger Ellis has acted as the Chief Executive of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council since 2000. Born and raised in Coventry, he studied law at Nottingham University and the College of Law, Chester before qualifying as a solicitor in 1978.

He began his career in local government with Norwich City Council in 1976. After that, he worked for Preston, Oxford and Lancaster Councils before becoming chief executive of Burnley Borough Council in 1993.

Roger became interested in the government and development of towns and cities during his childhood in Coventry, seeing the city being rebuilt following its devastation during the Second World War. He chose a career in local government, initially as a lawyer, out of a desire to assist with the regeneration of urban communities and to promote justice and equality by improving the quality of life and opportunities for local people.  Roger is heavily involved in work on the development of the Manchester City Region, as one of the AGMA Chief Executives.  He is the lead Chief Executive on Planning and Housing.

All of his jobs in local government have involved regeneration in various forms, with particular emphasis on housing renewal and town centre redevelopment.

Roger has five children and six grandchildren and has lived in Littleborough since 1998. His interests outside work include enjoying the canal network on the family narrow boat, travel, photography, hill walking, museums and galleries and - for almost 50 years - supporting Coventry City Football Club.