CAO announces retirement

03 April 2022

Richmond’s long-serving Chief Administrative Officer, George Duncan, will retire from his position on June 30.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie said George will be missed by both the organization and the community. “George has made a major impact on our City,” he said. “Under his leadership, Richmond has become an award-winning leader in civic administration, sustainability, community safety and operations. One only has to look around see how our City has grown into a diverse, dynamic and well-managed community to see his contributions and legacy.”

Examples of those contributions include the key role George played in bringing rapid transit to Richmond with the introduction of the Canada Line, as well as our City becoming a Host Venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. He was instrumental in securing the design and construction of the world-renowned Richmond Olympic Oval and its successful transition from a competition speed skating venue for the Games to a state-of-the-art multi-purpose community facility and sports complex benefiting local recreational and elite athletes alike.

Mayor Brodie also commended George for his commitment to public safety, in particular his vital leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Council has always seen the safety and well-being of our community as paramount,” he said. “When the pandemic hit Richmond, George mobilized teams and resources to ensure City services and staff were well positioned to keep key services in place and to protect the safety of employees, residents and businesses. That Richmond is on the road to economic and community recovery so quickly is due, in large part, to George’s experienced leadership and commitment during those challenging times.”

Joining the City in 1987, George was appointed CAO a decade later after taking on a series of progressive management roles and responsibilities.

Under his leadership, the City and its staff have received over 200 awards for various programs and initiatives. These include two prestigious Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Willis Awards for Excellence in Administration and Innovation, CAMA awards for Environmental Leadership & Sustainability and Professional Development, an Award of Excellence from the BC Human Resources Management Association, and awards from the International City/County Management Association.

He served and represented Richmond on a variety of Boards including the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, Lulu Island Energy Corporation, and E-Comm, as well as the VANOC 2010 Olympic Winter Games and RAV Line (later to become the Canada Line).

A search process is underway to identify George’s replacement. An announcement of the successful candidate is expected by the end of June.