Kent County Council names its choice of Group Managing Director

12 March 2010

Katherine Kerswell has been named as Kent County Council’s choice for its new Group Managing Director.

Katherine is currently Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Council and is the President of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE). She has had a successful and varied career at the cutting edge of local government spanning more than 20 years.

Paul Carter, Leader of KCC and Chairman of the Personnel Committee, said: “Kent County Council’s cross party Personnel Committee has unanimously recommended Katherine’s appointment. We were all enormously impressed by Katherine’s breadth of vision and energy and her absolute commitment to placing Kent citizens at the heart of the services we deliver. She will be a worthy successor to our outstanding Chief Executive Peter Gilroy who leaves in May. Our recommendation for her appointment will go for confirmation to the Council at its next meeting on 1 April 2010.”

Jim Harker, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council, said: “Kent’s gain is very much Northamptonshire’s loss. Katherine has made a very significant contribution to improving the quality of life for the people of Northamptonshire.  Whilst I am very sorry to see her go I understand Katherine’s decision to take up the challenge of one of the most high profile jobs in local government. I take it as a compliment that the work this County Council has achieved has been recognised as valuable for the future of Kent, which is of course the largest of all shire counties.”

It is expected that Katherine will take up her appointment at the beginning of July 2010. She will retain her current salary of £197,000.

Katherine Kerswell said: “I am delighted to be offered this opportunity to join Kent County Council. I am sorry to be leaving Northamptonshire, and am grateful for all the support I have had from members and colleagues. I know I will be able to draw on the excellent experience I have gained here to help meet the challenge of my exciting new role in Kent.”

More information about the role of Group Managing Director

Group Managing Director is a new title for Kent County Council. The role includes the responsibilities of being Head of Paid Service and leading the Chief Officer’s Group.

The appointment of the Group Managing Director entailed a rigorous selection process: an executive search by Veredus; a robust short listing process; preliminary interviews and a final two days of assessment.

The members of KCC’s Personnel Committee who conducted the interviews are:

• Paul Carter  Chairman
• Alex King
• Roger Gough
• David Hirst
• Kevin Lynes
• John Simmonds
• Martin Vye
• Jenny Whittle

Leslie Christie was also invited to attend and contribute.