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Julian Ellerby has been announced as interim chief executive of Basildon Council.He joined the council in January as executive director of strategy, people and transformation and will take over following the departure of chief executive Gary Jones.Prior to joining Basildon Council, Ellerby served as executive director of strategy at Redbridge LBC.He said: ‘My focus will be on providing strong leadership as we continue to strengthen our finances, drive forward our improvement journey and deliver our priorities for housing, regeneration and the future of local government. Lizzie Watkin has joined Somerset Council as its new chief financial officer and section 151 officer.Watkin was previously at Wiltshire Council, where she served as corporate director of resources and section 151 officer and also worked for Somerset CC as a strategic finance manager followed by roles at Taunton and Deane BC and South Somerset DC.Deputy leader Liz Leyshon said: ‘We're delighted to welcome Lizzie back to Somerset. She brings significant experience, a strong track record of financial leadership and a deep understanding of both Somerset and local government.'She also thanked interim chief financial officer and section 151 officer Clive Heaphy, for his ‘leadership, expertise and support'. Redbridge LBC has announced the appointment of Dawn Cove as director of benefits and financial resilience and Jonathan Wooldridge as director of revenues and exchequer.Cove has worked at the council for 35 years and said she aimed to provide ‘fair and equitable access to services, early intervention and practical support' for residents.Wooldridge joined in in 2018 after a long career at Barnet LBC. He said: ‘Getting things right, first time every time, is really important to me and ultimately, this leads to better collection, too.' North Yorkshire Council has appointed Craig Simpson as assistant director for housing.Simpson most recently served as head of Leeds Building Services, having joined Leeds City Council in 2019 as head of strategy and investment.He will take over from Andrew Rowe, who retired at the end of July.North Yorkshire Council's executive member for housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: ‘As demand for housing continues to grow, particularly in North Yorkshire's coastal and rural areas, Craig will play an important role in helping us to deliver the right homes in the right places.' Nico Heslop, director of the local government finance directorate at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), has announced his departure from the department.He is to join DEFRA as director general for strategy next month.Heslop told staff: ‘I have loved my four years as director of local government finance. It hasn't always been straightforward, but it has been an absolute pleasure working with all of you on such an important set of issues.'Suzie Clarke, deputy director for stewardship at MHCLG, will cover Heslop's role until a permanent appointment is made. Olly Swann has joined Newtrality as a director, the company has announced.He was previously a director at Inner Circle and has held roles at IMPOWER, West Sussex CC and the Department for Work and Pensions.Swann said: ‘I can't wait to get started with Newtrality. Their passion for local government, along with the organisation's culture and values, have really impressed me. Having spent my career supporting public sector organisations through complex change, I'm excited to be joining a growing consultancy that's working at the forefront of transformation and helping shape the future of local government.'

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PEOPLE

Basildon announces next chief executive

By Martin Ford | 12 August 2026

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