Bob Symonds

Councillor Bob Symonds has been a powerful advocate for the City of Sunderland for more than fifteen years, both as a Cabinet Member and Council Leader, during a time of dramatic economic and cultural regeneration.  He is currently overseeing, with partners, the £1bn plans for future development, which will transform the landscape of the city.  

During his tenure, Sunderland has consolidated its reputation for job creation and has become the UK’s fourth best place to do business, one of the world’s seven most IT-intelligent communities and the fifth top location for entrepreneurs.   The City Council is one of only 22 “excellent” rated local authorities in the country.   He has been Leader of the Council since May 2002.  Prior to this he served as the Cabinet Member with Management Portfolio for 3 years.  He has been a member of the City Council since 1988 and currently represents Castle Ward.

Councillor Symonds, 55, is married with a son and daughter.   After serving his apprenticeship as an electrician he entered the world of Personnel Management, culminating in the post of Personnel Manager for a major plc dealing with all levels of the workforce.

The Leader of the Council, as Leader of the controlling majority political group, Chairs the Cabinet and acts as the Council’s lead political spokesman.   He represents the Council nationally on a number of influential political organisations such as the Association of North East Councils and the Local Government Association.   The Leader is also the Cabinet’s Portfolio Holder for Modernisation of Local Government, Partnerships, External Affairs, Regional Matters and Community Safety. 

Councillor Symonds’ political activities are detailed above. He holds no other Ministerial appointments.

Email Councillor Symonds at onesecretariat@onenortheast.co.uk