Title

Preston City Council has appointed Marianne Hesketh as deputy chief executive and director of community and wellbeing.Hesketh previously worked at Preston as head of policy before leaving in 2011 and is currently director of communities at Wyre BC.She said: ‘This is an exciting and busy time for local government, and I'm genuinely excited about building on the excellent work already delivered by both the council and the community and wellbeing directorate.' Lambeth LBC's assistant director of strategic partnerships and programmes for housing delivery, Luke Parker, has left to become director of housing at Harrow LBC.Parker, who has been at Lambeth for more than 10 years, said he had been ‘lucky to work alongside and learn from some exceptional public servants'.In a message on social media, Parker wrote: ‘Lambeth is a demanding, ambitious, political and purposeful place to work, and it has been a huge privilege to be part of it.‘While it is always difficult to leave somewhere that has been such a significant part of your life and career, I am also looking forward to the next chapter and the opportunity to join new colleagues, build new relationships and continue making a difference in local government.' The Green Party has named Cllr Emily O'Brien as leader of its newly formed Local Government Association (LGA) group.O'Brien has been a Lewes DC member since 2019 and is currently the East Sussex local authority's cabinet member for climate, nature and food systems.She said she was ‘excited' to lead the ‘brand-new' Green group at the LGA.Hammersmith & Fulham LBC leader Cllr Steve Cowan has been elected as the leader of Labour group at London Councils.Cowan is therefore expected to be the organisation's next chair. Kate Dodsworth has been appointed deputy chief executive of the Regulator of Social Housing.Dodsworth joined the watchdog in 2021 as chief of regulatory engagement.The promotion follows Jonathan Walters' appointment as chief executive.A spokesperson said: ‘She will continue to lead the regulatory engagement directorate and play a key role in leadership and development of the overall strategy at the regulator, driving business improvement and ensuring regulatory approaches are continuously developed.'

Title

PEOPLE

Preston City Council appoints deputy chief

By Martin Ford | 10 June 2026

Popular articles by Martin Ford

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING

Popular articles by Martin Ford