May 8, 2018 10.32 am This story is over 76 months old

New Chief Executive at Lincolnshire County Council

New county council boss.

Keith Ireland has been named as the new Lincolnshire County Council CEO.

Lincolnshire County Council has appointed its new top boss following the departure of Tony McArdle.

Current City of Wolverhampton Council CEO Keith Ireland has been named as the council’s new Chief Executive.

The council said Mr Ireland has experience in local government and specialises in using private sector business models to transform the performance of local government services.

The City of Wolverhampton has received national recognition of how to transform services whilst meeting stringent financial reductions under his lead.

From December 2014 until June 2016, he was programme director, responsible for delivering the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Devolution Deal.

He oversaw the delivery and strategy for the programme which involved seven metropolitan councils, three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and 15 district councils as part of a three-LEP area combined authority.

He will follow Tony McArdle’s 12 years in the role, which paid more than £206,000 per year.

Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Keith Ireland was the committee’s choice from an excellent selection of candidates. He has outstanding abilities and will build on the work already taking place to move the county council forward.

“His track record of sound commercial acumen and capacity for innovation will see us in good stead as we continue to adapt to falling budgets without letting standards slip. Keith will be more than capable of driving our vision forward and inspiring our 4,500 strong workforce at the sharp end of government change.”

Keith Ireland said: “I’m delighted to have been successful and to be able to take up this new opportunity in Lincolnshire and another really exciting personal challenge for me in my local government career.

“I now look forward to working with my new colleagues – councillors, employees and county partners – to get to know Lincolnshire better and to continue to deliver the services that matter most to local people as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

Keith will take up his appointment in the near future.