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These are the latest personnel moves in local government and related sectors. Chief executives Josie Wragg will take the reins as Slough BC's new chief executive later this year. Ms Wragg is currently director of customer services and localities at Wokingham BC, where she has worked since 1998 in a number of senior positions in strategic partnerships, community sustainability and environment. She said: ‘I am passionate about public service and am excited about the challenges this role brings. Slough is a vibrant and ever-changing town and I feel fortunate to have the privilege of helping shape its future.' Nigel Pallace will continue as interim chief executive until Ms Wragg takes up her new post in the autumn, following a short handover period. Council leader, Cllr James Swindlehurst said: ‘Josie is dedicated to public service and shares my belief that our staff are our best and most important asset. ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel for the excellent work he has done in leading our organisation and helping us address the current batch of challenges and change we face, as we work to improve the borough.' Directors The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has appointed two new directors. Shahzia Daya has been named as director of legal services, and Malcolm Coe is the new director of investment and corporate services. Ms Daya, who joins WECA from Bristol City Council, said: ‘I have been privileged to serve the region for over 25 years, so I'm familiar with the challenges and opportunities the combined authority needs to embrace in order to deliver for the West of England.' Malcolm Coe joins from North Somerset Council, where he has been the head of finance and property. He said: ‘This is a really exciting opportunity for me to use my skills and experience to help drive the future growth and development of the region. Having worked locally for the past three-and-a-half years, I have already developed strong relationships with many of the key partners, and I look forward to expanding these relationships further." Ms Daya took up her role this week, while Mr Coe will join WECA in October. Leigh Whitehouse has been announced as Surrey CC's interim director of finance. Mr Whitehouse is currently interim director for finance and corporate services at Bexley LBC and will join Surrey on 3 September. He has previously held senior financial officer positions at Kingston and Hammersmith & Fulham, and joins Surrey following the departure of Sheila Little last month. Council leader, Cllr David Hodge, said: ‘It is excellent news that Leigh will be joining Surrey. He will arrive at a critical time for the council as we take forward our transformation programme and continue the vital work of achieving a sustainable budget that can deliver the best possible services and support to our residents.' Expressing his ‘delight' at the appointment, Mr Whitehouse added: ‘The financial challenges facing the council are significant, but so is the commitment to tackle them and the potential within the organisation to do so.' The recruitment process for a permanent post holder will start in September. Private sector The former chief executive of Northamptonshire CC has taken the helm at a finance software firm. Paul Blantern, who left the council in October, has been appointed chief executive of Obillex, which provides services managing payments from the public sector to small and medium enterprise suppliers. Serco's director for employment, skills and enterprise, Gareth Moss, is to leave the company. During his eight years with the firm, Mr Moss worked on Serco's citizen service business, headed up local government strategic partnerships and most recently established and ran its work in employment, skills and enterprise. He will leave at the end of August.

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Slough appoints Josie Wragg as new chief executive

By Martin Ford | 15 August 2018

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