WHITBY’S CHIEF OF STAFF NORTH HEADS SOUTH

27-11-2007

Mike Whitby’s right hand man James North is quitting to return to London. His departure will be a significant blow for the Birmingham City Council leader who had come to rely on his Chief of Staff as a useful buffer zone keeping the press at bay.

North insists that there’s nothing untoward in his departure – he’s just taking the next step on his career path by becoming a programme manager for the Lord Mayor of the City of London (and no we don’t mean Ken Livingstone!)

“Basically he’s the figurehead for the Square Mile, and acts as an ambassador for Britain’s financial services at home and abroad. My job will be to help organise overseas and regional visits in much the same way that I’ve assisted Mike with his trips to China” North explained.

But he stressed, “Mike and I haven’t fallen out. In fact telling him I was leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

“I’ve really enjoyed my stint here, but I was never going to stay for a decade and this is a good logical next step for me.”

North once harboured political ambitions and stood for the Conservatives in Central Fife in the 2003 General Election, but insists he is now a dedicated backroom boy.

He has acquired a certain notoriety locally for his love of '80s-style red braces.

It remains to be seen what impact his departure will have, but he is seen by many observers as a steadying hand on the leader, and has often acted as an unofficial spokesman when Whitby has been unwilling or unable to talk.