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Archived Press Release
Originally created on: Monday 19 July, 2010
Strategic directors hired under Brighton & Hove City Council restructure
Brighton & Hove City Council has unveiled a new team of strategic directors as part of an extensive restructure to radically improve services for residents.
Following a highly competitive selection process, involving elected members and local stakeholders, the council has appointed four outstanding candidates to transform the way services are delivered.
At least 140 candidates applied for the newly created roles that are designed to create a more flexible and responsive authority that can identify and deliver for residents. The new structure has a specific focus on improving customer satisfaction, reducing cost and making services more efficient and effective.
John Barradell, chief executive at Brighton & Hove City Council, said:
“This new team will be facing the challenge of making sure that the council continues to deliver even better services during a much tougher financial time.
“These four new strategic directors will build on the excellent work of directors and colleagues within the council to deliver more of what residents really need – first class services that enhance the city’s reputation as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.”
The appointments are:
Geoff Raw – strategic director of place
Geoff Raw is currently the director of design, strategy and planning at the London Development Agency. Prior to this he was the head of housing and investment at the LDA. Mr Raw also served as assistant director of London Investment at the Housing Corporation, as a national programme manager at the Housing Corporation, and head of strategic options at the Treasury.
While at the LDA, Mr Raw was responsible for major investments in the capital’s public realm which won an international award at the World Architecture Festival - Future Landscapes 2009. He was also responsible for delivering a £300m project for the Mayor of London, which was completed ahead of schedule.
Mr Raw advises the Mayor of London on a range of important regional projects, including how to work with Kent and Essex following the proposed removal of the South East Development Agency (SEEDA).
Mr Raw has devised new methods of delivering significant projects such as the £3.3bn National Affordable Housing Programme in 2006 and has led on several high profile regeneration projects such as the development of the Wembley Stadium, London Olympics regeneration scheme and London Docklands.
Mr Raw has a BA (Hons) in Economics & Social Studies from the University of East Anglia and a Masters of Science Urban Planning from Oxford Polytechnic.
Charlie Stewart – strategic director of resources
Charlie Stewart is currently the Director of West Sussex County Council's fundamental services review responsible for introducing more efficient ways of working to better meet customers’ needs while saving £50m over two years. Prior to this, he has held several roles at West Sussex including Director of Learning and Head of Legal and Trading Standards.
Originally a logistics officer with the Royal Air Force, Mr Stewart moved to work with SITA as a logistics manager and then Roche Diagnostics as Director of customer services, supply chain, logistics and engineering. Mr Stewart also worked as a consultant with Capgemini where he advised the Government on cutting costs and bureaucracy.
While in the RAF, Mr Stewart commanded a multi national NATO logistics, supply chain and engineering organisation which included operations in Bosnia and Croatia.
Mr Stewart holds an MBA from Cranfield University and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biology from King’s College London.
David Murray – strategic director of communities
David Murray is currently the acting executive director of customer services at the London Borough of Newham where he is responsible for a £300m budget and 600 staff.
He has implemented a radical transformation of the council’s entire customer service operation to shift the organisation towards a ‘one council’ approach which is expected to deliver £15m savings over three years.
Past experience for Mr Murray includes leading a range of cultural programmes in partnership with other local public services in Newham, including introducing programmes such as volunteering opportunities for the local community in preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mr Murray has extensive experience working with the Third Sector to develop the borough’s ambitions, and involved them in creating and producing solutions for the benefit of citizens.
He has also led on delivering major shared service solutions.
Mr Murray has a joint honours degree in International Politics and Librarianship, and CAM diplomas in advertising, communications and marketing.
Terry Parkin - strategic director of people
Terry Parkin is deputy director of children’s services at the London Borough of Southwark.
A former science teacher with experience as an Ofsted inspector, Mr Parkin has an outstanding record of service delivery across children’s services including improving education within Southwark.
The authority was recognised as one of the top ten most improved local authorities for primary education during Mr Parkin’s tenure. He also led on Building Schools for the Future at the authority and a range of major reviews including those in school achievement, youth and early years. The council won BSF local authority of the year last year.
Mr Parkin successfully negotiated a number of academy agreements with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and sponsors, including two with Southwark as co-sponsor.
At the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Mr Parkin was chief inspector of schools. During this time he led the authority’s Building Schools for the Future programme and helped attain a Beacon Council Award for School Improvement in 2006
He started his local government career at West Sussex before moving to Portsmouth City Council as assistant director where he worked for more than three years.
Mr Parkin has a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology, a PGCE in Biology and an MA in education from the University of London.
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