A panel of senior city councillors has recommended former London Borough of Tower Hamlets chief Will Tuckley to be our new interim Chief Executive.
The proposal to appoint Mr Tuckley, London's longest serving Chief Executive, was made by the six member Appointments and Remuneration Panel and will now be voted on at the Full Council meeting this Thursday evening.
If agreed, Will is set to start with the council on Tuesday 2 May after the Bank Holiday and in the run up to the local elections two days later.
Vast experience as a Chief Executive
Will would come to Brighton & Hove with a vast amount of experience as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Bexley from 2008 to 2015 when he joined Tower Hamlets and led the local authority for the last seven and a half years.
Will said: "I feel extremely pleased and proud to be recommended for the role of interim Chief Executive at the council.
"Brighton & Hove is a fantastic city with a huge amount of potential to prosper and develop in the future and, if appointed, I'm very much looking forward to leading the organisation until a permanent Chief Executive is found.
"I believe my experience as Chief Executive at both Bexley and Tower Hamlets will be an asset to the city and allow me to make an impact from the very beginning."
Geoff to leave after local elections
Current Chief Executive, Geoff Raw, announced six weeks ago he is to start a new role as managing director of ‘Be First’ (Be First London), a new homes and jobs development company at Barking and Dagenham council.
Will's appointment, for at least six months or until we appoint a new permanent Chief Executive, would ensure a smooth handover before Geoff's departure and clear leadership of the council ahead of the local elections.
Will would lead the council, which has around 9,000 staff (including schools) and a budget of almost £1 billion, and be responsible for ensuring hundreds of essential public services are delivered to our residents, businesses and visitors.
Interviews took place on Monday with a strong field of both internal and external candidates.
An interim Chief Executive could have been sought through an agency or consultancy, but this would have been far more expensive.
'Very lucky to have attracted someone so experienced'
Geoff, who is and will remain a resident of the city, said: "I'm delighted Will has been recommended to the role of interim Chief Executive.
"If appointed, we'll be very lucky to have attracted someone with such a wealth of experience in local government, especially as a Chief Executive.
"I and the senior councillors on the Appointments and Remuneration Panel are confident Will will be a fantastic interim Chief Executive who will lead the council in the right direction until the role is permanently filled."
Geoff added: "The role of Chief Executive at Brighton & Hove City Council is a fantastic job and one I've had the pleasure and privilege of having for the last eight years of my 12 years at the council.
"Brighton & Hove is an amazing city with a vibrancy, creativity and cultural diversity unlike any other outside London and I know I'd be leaving the role and city in the safe hands of Will and the wonderful staff who I've been very proud to work with."
