Chief Executive

In April 2027, West Surrey Council will become one of England’s largest new unitary authorities, serving more than 650,000 residents and delivering services that shape people’s lives every day. This is an opportunity to create something different, to build a council that combines scale with genuine localism, where decisions remain close to communities, defined by accountability, ambition and delivery.

West Surrey begins with tremendous strengths: internationally recognised businesses, thriving towns, outstanding natural environments, ambitious communities and significant economic potential. However, it also faces complex challenges in local government, inheriting significant financial pressures, including substantial legacy debt. Demand for services continues to grow, particularly in areas such as adult social care, children’s services, housing and support for vulnerable residents.

We are looking for a Chief Executive who embraces this reality. You will help create both the organisation and its settled blueprint. Working closely with the Leader, Members, staff and partners, you will establish a new organisation, shape its culture and build confidence in its future. Financial credibility will be essential, and we need a leader who understands how to navigate complexity, engage confidently with central government and establish a sustainable platform for the future.

This role requires courage, judgement and resilience. You will need to work effectively within a politically-led environment, building strong relationships with Members across all parties whilst providing clear and independent professional advice. You will be visible, collaborative and authentic; someone capable of inspiring a workforce through significant change and creating a culture built on trust, accountability and high performance.

Most importantly, we are looking for a leader who wants to build something lasting, not a short-term turnaround specialist or caretaker. A Chief Executive who wants to invest in a place, its people and its future. If successful, you will help create an organisation that could become a model for modern local government: financially sustainable, community-focused and ambitious for the people it serves. The challenges are substantial, the scrutiny will be intense, and the opportunity is extraordinary.

For an informal and confidential discussion contact: Frazer Thouard (frazer.Thouard@gatenbysanderson.com) or Duncan Collins (duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com) from GatenbySanderson. Closing date: 16th August 2026.

About Local Government Reorganisation: Local government in Surrey is changing to make services simpler, more connected and better able to respond to local needs. From April 2027, Surrey County Council and the existing district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey. West Surrey Council will bring together responsibility for essential local services including children’s services, adult social care, housing, planning, highways, public health, environmental services, leisure and community services. Alongside this, Surrey is working with government on plans to secure greater devolution and unlock new opportunities for local decision-making, investment and growth.