City of Halifax, NS Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

City of Halifax, NS has 4 executives leading key functions including information technology, administrative operations, financial management, and strategic staff coordination.

Committed to providing essential public services, City of Halifax, NS fosters sustainable urban growth while maintaining high standards of governance for the capital of Nova Scotia.

Leadership Roles at City of Halifax, NS

  • Chief Financial Officer - Jerry Blackwood
  • Chief Information Officer - David Thorpe
  • Chief of Staff - Joanne Macrae
  • Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - Brad Anguish
  • Jerry Blackwood - Chief Financial Officer

    Jerry Blackwood, the Chief Financial Officer at City of Halifax, NS, manages the fiscal health and budgetary integrity of the municipality. Blackwood architects comprehensive financial strategies to fund essential government services and infrastructure projects throughout the capital of Nova Scotia. By overseeing revenue collection and expenditure controls, the Chief Financial Officer ensures long-term economic stability for the region. This leadership role involves presenting detailed financial reports to the Board, providing transparency regarding the allocation of public funds. Jerry Blackwood drives fiscal accountability across all departments, optimizing resource distribution to maximize community impact. Through the management of municipal debt and investment portfolios, the Chief Financial Officer mitigates financial risk while supporting sustainable growth. Ultimately, Blackwood maintains the fiscal discipline required to sustain the high concentration of government services that define the operational landscape of the municipality.
    Jerry Blackwood

    David Thorpe - Chief Information Officer

    David Thorpe, the Chief Information Officer at City of Halifax, NS, directs the digital transformation of municipal services across the region. Thorpe architects scalable cloud infrastructure to support government service delivery, ensuring data security and operational efficiency for all departments. By modernizing legacy systems, the Chief Information Officer enables seamless public access to municipal resources. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board to align technological investments with long-term urban development goals. David Thorpe manages complex cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive citizen information while driving North American initiatives in smart city integration. Through the implementation of advanced analytics, the Chief Information Officer optimizes internal workflows, reducing administrative overhead. Ultimately, Thorpe secures the digital backbone of the municipality, facilitating reliable communication channels between government entities and the private sector services operating within the capital of Nova Scotia.

    Joanne Macrae - Chief of Staff

    Joanne Macrae, the Chief of Staff at City of Halifax, NS, coordinates high-level administrative functions to ensure organizational alignment with municipal objectives. Macrae manages the flow of information between executive leadership and various government departments, facilitating efficient decision-making processes. By overseeing strategic planning initiatives, the Chief of Staff maintains focus on the core mission of providing essential services to the capital of Nova Scotia. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and ensuring that internal policies reflect the broader goals of the municipality. Joanne Macrae drives cross-departmental collaboration, removing operational silos to improve service delivery speed. Through rigorous oversight of executive priorities, the Chief of Staff supports the implementation of public policy across the region. Ultimately, Macrae ensures that the administrative structure remains agile, responsive, and fully capable of meeting the evolving needs of the local population.

    Brad Anguish - Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

    Brad Anguish, the Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER at City of Halifax, NS, oversees the daily operations of the municipal government to ensure effective service delivery. Anguish directs the implementation of policies that govern the capital of Nova Scotia, balancing the needs of private sector services with public sector requirements. By managing the executive team, the Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER maintains operational continuity across all city departments. This leadership role involves translating strategic vision into actionable plans that improve the quality of life for residents. Brad Anguish drives organizational performance by fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency within the municipal workforce. Through the coordination of large-scale urban initiatives, the Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ensures that the municipality meets its regulatory obligations. Ultimately, Anguish provides the necessary leadership to navigate complex administrative challenges, securing the functional success of the entire regional government structure.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding City of Halifax, NS Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads City of Halifax, NS?
    City of Halifax, NS is led by Jerry Blackwood (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as David Thorpe (Chief Information Officer) and Joanne Macrae (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of City of Halifax, NS’s executive team?
    The executive team of City of Halifax, NS includes leaders such as Jerry Blackwood (Chief Financial Officer), David Thorpe (Chief Information Officer), Joanne Macrae (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does City of Halifax, NS have?
    City of Halifax, NS has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in City of Halifax, NS’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of City of Halifax, NS includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief of Staff, Acting CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER.