New Chief Executive appointed

04-DEC-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

North Tyneside Council has today confirmed it is to appoint John Marsden - its former Chief Executive - as its Chief Executive for one year.

The appointment, subject to the approval of the Full Council, will ensure the council has consistent high calibre leadership to ensure it can continue to move forward.

During Mr Marsden's previous time at North Tyneside the council improved from one of the poorest to being one of the fastest improving councils in the country.

Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley said: " My priority is to ensure that this council has the strong leadership it needs to enable us to continue to move forward in a difficult economic climate.

"Our residents expect us to deliver high quality services, but with value for money at their core. To achieve that we need a corporate management team with experience and expertise.

"John Marsden has both the excellent professional credentials that we need and knowledge about North Tyneside. When he worked for North Tyneside previously he supported it in improving from one of the poorest performing councils to one of the fastest improving councils in the country."

Mr Marsden, who was previously Chief Executive of North Tyneside up until February 2005, will join the Council in March next year, from North Yorkshire County Council.

The appointment follows the recent announcement of the resignation of North Tyneside Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, who is taking on the role of Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council in February next year. He will leave North Tyneside at the end of the year.
More...
In the interim period Gill Alexander, the council's current Strategic Director for Children Young People and Learning will take on the post of Interim Head of Paid Service.

This is a statutory post, which includes taking responsibility for the management of council staff, and provides a link between councillors and officers within the organisation.

Mr Marsden said: " It will be with mixed feelings that I leave North Yorkshire County Council, having worked with dedicated staff and councillors who passionately believe in what they do for the residents of North Yorkshire.

"However, the opportunity to return to North Tyneside Council is one that I am really looking forward to. It is an area where I enjoyed working and I still have strong connections to the area."