Brighton & Hove City Council has made two key appointments to its leadership team as part of a senior management restructure.
Nick Hibberd is the new Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture and takes the role after job sharing the portfolio with a colleague.
Larissa Reed joins BHCC from Canterbury Council as Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing and will be in post at the end of December.
Both will now become permanent members of Chief Executive Geoff Raw’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
Nick will oversee the city’s development and regeneration, the environment including waste management, transport, culture and property and design.
Larissa will have overall management of communities, equality and the third sector, community safety, housing, libraries and regulatory services.
Mr Raw said: “These are very exciting times for the city council, and these appointments are part of our top priority of modernising the council.
“In Larissa we have been able to recruit an extremely talented person who will bring new thinking to the city, and the appointment of Nick as a hugely influential and popular internal candidate means he can continue the fantastic work he is already involved in.
“They both successfully came through a gruelling recruitment and interview process while demonstrating fresh ideas, energy and enthusiasm to confidently take our services forward and work with a superb group of staff.”
Nick said: “I’m extremely pleased to have been given this vital role permanently and will make sure I further drive forward the council’s plans to boost the economy, environment and culture of this great city.
“I have a wonderful, hardworking and dedicated team who I know will ensure we continue providing great services to our residents.”
Larissa, who will leave her role as Canterbury’s assistant director of direct services, said: “Brighton and Hove is an amazing city and the council is dynamic and forward thinking, so I’m delighted to have been offered this important role.
“My previous experience in housing, community development and community safety will allow me to help the council deliver its vision of the city being an even better place to live, work and visit.”
The council is also recruiting a new Executive Director of Health & Adult Social Care, and an announcement will be made in the near future.
Nick Hibberd first worked for Brighton Borough Council in 1995 and had 2 years at the Legal Services Commission from 2004-06. He returned to Brighton & Hove City Council in 2006 as Head of Housing Needs and became Assistant Director for Housing in 2008.
Since 2012 Nick has been the council’s Head of City Regeneration and more recently Acting Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture.
Nick led the Greater Brighton City Deal bid and works closely with the region’s partners, including the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and the B&H Economic Partnership to promote the city and secure public and private investment.
He co-ordinated the B&H Seafront Investment programme, the £100m housing estate regeneration and the Greater Brighton Investment Programme. He is currently overseeing the modernisation of the planning service.