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Kingston LBC has announced the appointment of Suzanne Parkes as director of planning and regeneration.Parkes has more than 20 years of experience in local government and most recently served as head of planning and environmental health at Elmbridge BC.Kingston's planning portfolio holder Cllr Andrew Wooldridge said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Suzanne to Kingston. Her experience and collaborative approach will be a real asset as we continue to strengthen our planning service, support our communities and create new opportunities for residents and businesses.' Mark Pearson has been appointed as chief executive of Solihull Community Housing (SCH).Pearson brings nearly 30 years of social housing experience to the role, having previously served as chief executive of Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association and managing director of 54North Homes.He takes over from Lee Sugden, who has served as interim chief executive for the last six months.SCH's board chair Simon Wilson said: ‘I am delighted that Mark is joining us as our new chief executive.‘Mark brings extensive experience as a leader in the housing sector, and I know that he will be welcomed by all at SCH and our partners in Solihull Council.' The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) has appointed Lindsay Airey as an executive director.Airey, who joined APSE 18 years ago, said it was ‘a particularly special moment', describing the appointment as ‘a huge privilege and a significant responsibility'.She added: ‘I've had the opportunity to work across so many areas of the organisation, from operations, finance and governance to events, business development, performance and organisational change. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved along the way.' Caroline Sinclair has been named as chief officer at West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).Sinclair is currently assistant chief officer for older people and primary care at Glasgow City HSCP and previously worked at HSCP services in East Dunbartonshire and Orkney.She will take up the role in October following the retirement of Beth Culshaw.Sinclair said: ‘Over the past 30 years, I have held a wide range of roles across integrated health and social care services, from frontline positions to senior leadership. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our services and will serve me well in West Dunbartonshire.' Amanda Askham has joined Grant Thornton as a partner in its public sector consulting practice.Prior to joining the firm, Askham was a strategic director at Ealing LBC and has previously worked at Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire CC, including almost a year as interim chief executive.She will lead the development of Grant Thornton's local government transformation and organisational design work.Askham said: ‘There is a lot for me to learn as I make the transition back into consulting. I am looking forward to bringing what I have learned from more than two decades inside local government to the work ahead.'

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London borough hires planning director

By Martin Ford | 19 August 2026

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