West Berkshire Council Chief Executive to retire in August

THE chief executive of West Berkshire Council will retire later this year – after 23 years at the council.

Nick Carter, who took over the top job in September 2005 but has been with the council since it was established in 1998, will retire in August.

He said: "As some colleagues have been aware for a while it was always my intention to retire when I reached my 60th birthday which I will do in August this year.

"It will provide an opportunity for me to do some different things but also for someone new to take the council forward alongside the council’s executive.

“It has been both a pleasure and an honour to have worked for the council over the past 23 years, 16 of them as chief executive.

"I was instantly attracted to both the place and its people when I arrived in 1997 and it is one of the main reasons why I chose to stay.

“The past year has been a particular challenge but I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the council staff and members for their support, and in particular all of the communities, partners and groups that have once again demonstrated through their actions what a great place West Berkshire is.

"I sincerely hope that 2021 marks the start of something better.”

Following the announcement, the district council has now started its search for a new person to lead it.

Recruitment begun this week following Mr Carter's decision and the new chief executive will take over at a time when it is planning a post-Covid recovery and looking to shape the district to seize the benefits and tackle the challenges that the changes over the past 12 months have brought with it.

The council said it was looking for someone "who is a visionary, ambitious individual to deliver the aspirations of the council".

These include economic growth, employment opportunities, protecting the most vulnerable and providing safe towns.

Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said: “This is an exciting time to join the council as we look to the future and how the district recovers from coronavirus.

"The chief executive will take this forward, continuing our transformation programme and helping shape how the district and our communities develop in the coming years.

"We want to do this in conversation with residents and together make West Berkshire an even greater place to live, work and learn.

“Although we are not losing Nick quite yet, I would like to express my sincere thanks to him for everything he has done for the council and our communities over the past two decades.

"His leadership of the council and the work he has done with our partners and our communities to help develop West Berkshire in that time has been invaluable.

"There will be many people who, like me, will be sad to see him go but we do of course wish him the very best for his retirement.”

More information about the role is available online at https://join-westberks.com/