Sally Burns was appointed Director of Public Health for Birmingham in May 2025. Prior to this, she served as Director of Public Health for West Northamptonshire Council from March 2022, where she led the successful transition from a joint county-wide public health service to an independent West Northamptonshire team. Her previous roles include Assistant Director of Public Health in the London Borough of Newham and Public Health Consultant in Waltham Forest. Sally began her career as an Environmental Health Officer in Yorkshire and has spent her entire career in local government, with a strong focus on developing and delivering services that promote health and wellbeing. She also held the position of Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods for City of York Council, overseeing a wide range of services including Public Health, Housing, Community Safety, Community Engagement, Environment, Parks and Open Spaces, Culture, Leisure, and Regulatory Services. While in the East Midlands, she was the regional lead Director of Public Health for sector-led improvement in Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation.