Every career journey is different. For Asam, it began with civil engineering and led to a long and fulfilling career helping residents connect with the services they need.
His story is a brilliant example of what succeeding at Rochdale can look like.
Asam has helped lead the way in modernising services for residents.
Every career journey is unique, can you share yours?
"I began my career in civil engineering after completing my degree, working for a large international firm in London. It was an exciting start, but after getting married and having a child, I realised the demands of civil engineering didn’t align well with family life."
"That led me to move back to Rochdale, where I joined Rochdale Council in February 1999 and found a new path in customer service, one that allowed me to grow professionally while raising my family."
"As my children grew up, I reignited my academic journey by completing another degree and a master’s. This opened the door to management roles, eventually leading to my current position."
"It’s been a journey of adapting, learning, and evolving, one that’s shown me how career paths can shift in meaningful ways when guided by both personal values and professional ambition."
Can you describe a moment when you felt you had truly succeeded in your role or career?
"Success has come in many forms for me, some deeply personal, others shared with teams, and some as part of a family unit."
"Seeing my children qualify in their respective fields, law, radiology, and project management, was a proud moment that reflected the balance I managed between career and family life."
"Completing my master’s was a personal milestone but leading the launch of Rochdale Council’s MyAccount portal and bringing the Customer Contact Centre back in-house were standout professional achievements. Meaningful not just for me, but for the teams and communities they serve."
What’s something you’re most proud of achieving in your time at Rochdale Borough Council?
"One of my proudest achievements has been leading the development of Rochdale Council’s online portal for residents, MyAccount."
"As someone who lives in Rochdale and genuinely cares about people, I’ve always been passionate about making services more accessible and efficient."
"This portal allowed residents to submit requests outside office hours, check council tax and housing benefit details, and manage their interactions with the council more easily."
"It was a major undertaking, especially as the council had never done anything like it before. We had to design the platform from scratch, gather requirements, collaborate with technical and development teams, and ensure the highest standards of security."
"Today, with over 70,000 residents signed up, it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’ve made a lasting difference in how people engage with local services."
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your day-one self to help you succeed at Rochdale?
"I’d tell myself to always seek discomfort because real growth happens outside your comfort zone."
"I’ve always been committed to learning and development, regularly signing up for courses not just for work, but for personal growth too."
"The moments I’ve grown the most have been when I’ve taken on challenges that stretched me."
"But I’d also remind myself to stay true to what I want, and what I don’t. When I first joined Rochdale Council, I prioritised family life over career progression, and I was content with that. Even though others encouraged me to move up, I waited until the time was right for me."
"That balance, between pushing yourself and knowing your own path, has been key to my journey."
Interested in succeeding at Rochdale like Asam?