Oldham Rising: Leadership, Legacy and Local Challenges with Arooj Shah
- truthaboutlocalgov
- Oct 29
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 30
In a recent podcast episode of Truth About Local Government, I had the privilege of speaking with Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council. It was a conversation that left me inspired, moved, and more convinced than ever that local government leadership when done with authenticity and heart can be transformative.
Arooj Shah is not just a political figure; she is a deeply rooted community leader whose personal story is inseparable from the borough she serves. Born and raised in Oldham, she describes the town as “not just where I lead it’s my community, my story, and my soul.” Her leadership is driven by lived experience, emotional investment, and a fierce commitment to improving lives.
Oldham is a borough facing significant challenges. It ranks among the 20% most deprived areas in England, with 42% of children living in poverty according to End Child Poverty Coalition data. Yet under Shah’s leadership, the council has achieved remarkable progress. In 2024, Oldham’s children’s services were rated “Good” by Ofsted, marking the fastest improvement in the country. Shah attributes this success to “strong leadership, committed staff, investment into early help and social work, and a culture of genuine partnership with families.”
The borough’s regeneration plans are equally ambitious. With over £100 million in investment committed to transforming the town centre, Oldham is delivering new homes, public spaces, and infrastructure that aim to restore civic pride and create opportunity.
“Regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” Shah told me. “It’s about letting people know we care that we’re fighting for the best.”
This blog captures the essence of our discussion, offering insights for fellow professionals on values-led leadership, system-wide transformation, and the power of visible progress. It also provides a window into the incredible work happening in Oldham for those with a vested interest in the borough’s future from residents and investors to regional partners and national policymakers.
Leading with Heart: A Personal and Professional Mission
Cllr Arooj Shah doesn’t just lead Oldham she embodies it. Her leadership is not transactional or distant; it’s deeply personal and emotionally invested.
“Oldham is not just where I lead it’s my community, my story, and my soul”.
That sentiment runs through everything she does. Born and raised in Oldham, Arooj’s family settled in the borough after migrating from Pakistan. Her upbringing in a working-class, multicultural community shaped her values and her understanding of what public service should be. “I lead because I live, breathe, and love this place,” she said. “It’s personal to me.”
This is civic leadership rooted in lived experience. It’s not about climbing political ladders it’s about lifting communities. Arooj’s leadership style is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and a fierce belief in the potential of Oldham’s people. She speaks openly about the challenges she’s faced as a woman of colour in politics, and how staying true to her values has been her anchor through adversity. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership in local government is most effective when it’s driven by purpose, not position. It’s about being present, being accountable, and being willing to fight for the communities you serve even when the odds are stacked against you.
Regeneration with Purpose and Pride
Oldham’s regeneration journey is one of resilience, ambition, and finally delivery. After years of false starts, the borough is now seeing tangible progress. Over £100 million has been committed to transforming the town centre, with new homes, public spaces, and infrastructure projects underway. These include the redevelopment of Spindles Shopping Centre into a civic hub, the creation of a new theatre and performance space, and the Northern Roots eco-park project, which will be the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
But for Arooj Shah, regeneration is not just about economic growth it’s about restoring hope. “We’re not just a place of need. We’re a place of opportunity,” she said. “Regeneration is about letting people know we care. That we’re here for them.”
She’s clear that visible progress matters. It’s not enough to have plans on paper residents need to see change in their streets, their schools, and their services.
“When people see things happening, it instils civic pride. It tells them they haven’t been forgotten.”
At the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), Arooj delivered a message that stood out. While others spoke in polished corporate language, she spoke from the heart.
“I don’t go there saying ‘please invest in Oldham.’ I go there saying: if you want to be part of something meaningful, come and invest in our people.”
Oldham’s regeneration is people-first. It’s about creating spaces that residents can point to and say, “That changed my life.” It’s about building a future where every community feels included, valued, and proud of where they live.
Children First: Transforming Services with Compassion
Oldham’s children’s services have undergone a transformation that has drawn national attention. In July 2024, Ofsted rated the borough “Good” across all five inspection areas just five years after being judged “Requires Improvement” in 2019. This makes Oldham one of the fastest-improving children’s services authorities in the country.
The inspection praised the council’s “relentless focus on improvement,” highlighting the impact of strong leadership, stable management, and a values-led culture. “This is about saving lives,” said Cllr Arooj Shah. “Our dedicated social workers have shown their excellence and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Key outcomes and service statistics as of September 2025 include:
3,495 children and young people receiving support through various plans:
827 receiving early help
1,434 children in need
381 under child protection plans
599 children looked after
464 care leavers
The borough has invested £14.7 million into children’s services since 2023, enabling the recruitment of 50 additional social workers, the launch of new family hubs, and the creation of a council-run children’s home for young people with disabilities. Early help services have expanded significantly, with seven family hubs now operating across the borough. Ofsted noted that children referred to early help receive “targeted and timely support,” and that assessments are “thorough and child-focused,” leading to effective change. The council’s approach prioritises insight over data alone. “You can be data rich and insight poor,” Arooj said. “Real understanding of people’s lives is what drives meaningful change.” This philosophy underpins a culture of genuine partnership with families, collective accountability among political leaders, and a workforce that is respected and empowered.
Balancing the Books with Compassion
Local government finance is complex, and Oldham faces the same pressures as councils across the UK: rising demand, shrinking budgets, and the legacy of austerity. But Cllr Arooj Shah is clear
“Protecting the vulnerable is a non-negotiable.”
In 2024/25, Oldham Council had to draw over £10 million from earmarked reserves to meet demand-led pressures in social care and housing. Despite these challenges, the council was named “Most Improved Council” at the LGC Awards, recognising its progress in leadership, service delivery, and community engagement.
The £14.7 million investment in children’s services is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on expensive agency staff and out-of-borough placements. The council has also introduced:
A £2,000 loyalty payment for social workers who stay for two years
A 10% increase in foster carer allowances
New residential and semi-independent homes for care leavers
Arooj speaks candidly about the difficulty of explaining local government finance to residents. “When I first joined the council, I didn’t even understand what capital and revenue meant,” she said. “It’s complicated but we have to make decisions with compassion and clarity.”
Every pound spent in Oldham is guided by two principles: protecting people and investing in the borough’s future. It’s a financial strategy rooted not just in spreadsheets, but in values and in the belief that public service must always put people first.
Resilience in Leadership: Staying True to Values
Cllr Arooj Shah’s journey in public life has been marked by both triumph and turbulence. She has lost and regained her seat, faced personal attacks, and navigated the complex terrain of being a woman from a diverse background in politics. Yet through it all, she has remained anchored in her values.
“Resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s easy,” she told me. “It’s about staying true to your values, even when things get really tough.”
Her leadership is shaped by purpose, not politics. She speaks openly about the isolation that can come with civic leadership, especially when you don’t fit the traditional mould.
“Sometimes the resentment comes from my own community, sometimes from those who don’t like that I’m a brown woman in power. But I don’t let that define me.”
Arooj draws strength from her faith, her family, and most importantly, the people she serves. Her story is one of courage, conviction, and hope a reminder that politics is for everyone, and that authenticity can be a powerful antidote to toxicity. She is determined to show the next generation of leaders especially young women and those from marginalised backgrounds that they belong in public life. That they can lead with integrity, compassion, and strength. And that they don’t have to conform to be effective.
Visible Progress: A Shield Against Division
In a time of political polarisation and economic uncertainty, visible progress is more than a policy goal it’s a shield against division. Arooj Shah understands this deeply. Her vision for Oldham is rooted in tangible change that residents can see, feel, and believe in.
“My focus is on delivering visible progress,” she said. “Transforming the town centre, improving housing, strengthening children’s services, supporting residents through the cost of living crisis these are things people need to see happening.”
Projects like the £100 million town centre regeneration and the Northern Roots eco-park are not just infrastructure investments they’re symbols of hope. They tell residents that Oldham is rising, that their borough is not forgotten, and that their leaders are fighting for a better future.
Arooj is acutely aware of the risks of civic disengagement.
“When people don’t feel proud of where they live, when they feel left behind, that’s when bad actors fill the vacuum,” she warned. “Visible progress helps protect democracy. It helps people feel connected, included, and hopeful.”
Her leadership is about more than delivering services it’s about restoring belief. Belief in the borough, in public service, and in each other.
Conclusion: Lessons for Local Government and a Borough to Believe In
Oldham’s story is one of resilience, regeneration, and leadership with heart. Under the stewardship of Cllr Arooj Shah, the borough is not only navigating complex challenges it’s redefining what modern civic leadership can look like. Arooj exemplifies a new kind of leader: authentic, inclusive, and relentlessly focused on improving lives. Her leadership is rooted in lived experience, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of the communities she serves. She doesn’t just talk about change she embodies it.
For local government professionals, Oldham offers a blueprint for transformation. It shows how values-led leadership, strategic investment, and genuine community engagement can drive rapid improvement even in the face of austerity and adversity. From the fastest-improving children’s services in the country to bold regeneration plans that centre people over profit, Oldham is proving that progress is possible. For residents and stakeholders, there is every reason to be proud. The borough is rising not just in infrastructure, but in spirit. It’s becoming a place where civic pride is restored, where opportunity is expanding, and where leadership is rooted in compassion and courage. Oldham is rising and it’s doing so with purpose, pride, and people at its heart.
