Tributes have been paid to Pat Graham, the chief executive of the former Copeland Council.
Cumberland Council chief executive and former Allerdale chief executive Andrew Seekings said: “Pat spent 13 years with Copeland, as head of development operations, director people and places and director of economic growth, then as managing director and finally, chief executive.
“Pat and I met about nine years ago when Copeland and Allerdale shared services together. We more recently worked closely together as the county and district councils were reorganised to create Cumberland Council.
“Pat’s drive and energy was instrumental in the successful Copeland and Allerdale proposal for the reorganisation of local government. What become clear was that she wanted to support the most vulnerable in our society, wanting everyone to fulfil their potential and drive forward truly transformational change.
“She wanted Copeland – where she was born and bred – to be the very best, and she led personally on projects that will affect the lives of residents for generations – Town Deals, a PFI exit, the Whitehaven Campus and the Industrial Solutions Hub in her home town of Cleator Moor, to name just a few.
“She also forged pivotal relationships with the nuclear sector and was able to influence and negotiate significant investment for communities across Copeland that have and will continue to change lives.
Cumberland Council leader, Mark Fryer added: “I admired Pat’s unwavering commitment to the community she served, her innate fairness and her desire to help those in society who needed a little more support.
“Her legacy will live on in the work she led and in future services for Cumberland, based on a set of values such as compassion and ambition, that were central to the way Pat worked every day.”
The council has lowered the flags on its main buildings as a mark of respect.
Industrial Solutions Hub also issued a tribute.
It said: “All the team at iSH are devastated to hear the news of Pat Graham’s death.
“Pat was a true visionary, a guiding light for so many of us.
“She devoted so much of her life to making a positive difference to people’s lives.
“Brought up in Cleator Moor, she was passionate about making Copeland, and West Cumbria, an even better place.
“In her role as chief executive of Copeland Council she did so much to make that a reality.
“In recent years Pat was a driving force behind the formation of iSH, and the organisation’s mission to improve the economy of West Cumbria.
“As chair of our board, Pat was generous with her time and commitment, bringing her expertise, energy and enthusiasm to help shape our organisation and determine what we can achieve for our wider communities through collaboration.
“Pat’s boundless passion combined with common sense pragmatism and sheer will to make things happen, means her legacy will live on not only for this generation but for generations to come.”
Managing director John Maddison added: “Without Pat’s drive, tenacity, leadership and support iSH simply wouldn’t be where it is today.
“Copeland was exceptionally lucky to have Pat as its leader, iSH was very lucky to have Pat driving it forward, and I was personally very lucky to get the opportunity to work closely with her and learn from a truly inspirational leader.
“We all feel immensely proud and lucky to have known Pat, and privileged and committed as ever to continue Pat’s inspiring work and play our part in her legacy.”
Chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council Sam Plum said: “I was extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Pat. I knew her for several years as the chief executive of Copeland Borough Council and I worked closely with her during Local Government Reorganisation, which saw the creation of two new councils for Cumbria earlier this year.
“I was always taken by Pat’s commitment, energy and drive and her absolute commitment to the communities she served and for her brilliant team in Copeland.
“She was single minded in her focus to make a real difference for all those that she came into contact with. I also loved her wicked sense of humour and that twinkle in her eye. My thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.”
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council added: “I always admired Pat’s drive and determination for those that she served.
“She made a huge difference to the people and communities of Copeland and I am sure that her achievements will continue to be felt for many years to come. She shared with me such values as compassion and collaboration and she will be a great loss to the people of Copeland.”
