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Ferguson top local government tweeter
George Ferguson has topped a list of leaders in local government using social media.
Bristol’s elected mayor, who has almost 38,000 followers on Twitter, topped the list aimed at highlighting good practice among mayors, leaders and chief executives.
#Bristol ranked no7 of #England‘s least car dependent #cities in 2014, since when #bus & #cycling use has increased: https://t.co/j4JM6pHw99
— George Ferguson (@GeorgeFergusonx) December 15, 2015
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The study by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO found that there were only two women in the top 10, and five in the top 20, “potentially reflecting a wider lack of diversity in local government leadership”.
BDO also found that there was no Conservative Party representation among the politicians featured in the list.
Although the top 20 performed well compared to their peers, there were low levels of engagement with newer social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
“The lack of activity on alternative platforms suggests that there is a gap in the way leaders could innovatively deliver their message and are limiting their access to constituents,” the report said.
Here is the top 20:
1. George Ferguson, elected mayor, Bristol City Council
2. Mark Rogers, chief executive, Birmingham City Council
3. Joe Anderson, elected mayor, Liverpool City Council
4. Jim McMahon OBE, leader, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
5. Tudor Evans, leader, Plymouth City Council
6. Tony Lloyd, interim mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
7. Julian Bell, council leader, London Borough of Ealing
8. Sarah Hayward, leader, London Borough of Camden
9. Tom Riordan, chief executive, Leeds City council
10. Jo Miller, chief executive, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
11. Sharon Taylor, leader, Stevenage Borough Council
12. Peter John, leader, London Borough of Southwark
13. Warren Morgan, leader, Brighton & Hove City Council
14. Donna Jones, leader, Portsmouth City Council
15. Nick Forbes, leader, Newcastle City Council
16. Richard Watts, leader, London Borough of Islington
17. Sir Richard Leese, leader, Manchester City Council
18. Ian Stewart, leader/elected mayor, Salford City Council
19. Dorothy Thornhill, leader /mayor, Watford Borough Council
20. Muhammed Butt, leader at London Borough of Brent
BDO whittled down the its top 20 list from 800 chief executives, leaders and mayors by finding the 50 Twitter accounts with the most followers. A score based on engagement across Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms led to the selection of the top 20.
The order within that list was agreed following a qualitative analysis of social media content using criteria including individuality, agenda setting, reputation management, reach, innovation, reception, engagement and successful blend of personal and professional.
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