July 5, 2018 4.39 pm This story is over 67 months old

Lincolnshire County Council director Richard Wills to retire

He has worked in local government for 44 years

Lincolnshire County Council executive director of environment and economy Richard Wills will retire from the authority at the end of September.

Richard Wills has spend 18 years at the county council and 44 years in local government.

He stepped in as head of paid service and returning officer for county council by-elections following the departure of the council’s chief executive Tony McArdle in recent months.

Richard joined the council in July 2000 as its director for highways and planning, which included responsibilities for transport services and waste management.

The council designated Richard as the Monitoring Officer from April 2014.

Richard is a board director on the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. He represents East Midlands LEP’s on the Midland Connect Strategy Board. He also sits on the University of Lincoln Business School Advisory Board.

Richard said: “I have been very privileged to serve as the head of paid service, albeit for just four months.

“I value greatly the confidence and trust that the council placed in me in that role and as the council’s monitoring officer. I have had a great career as a director of the county council, with diverse accountabilities over the years.”

Lincolnshire County Council’s new chief executive, Keith Ireland, said: “I’ve known since I was appointed that Richard had decided to retire, and I’m looking forward to working with him over the next few months to ensure our services continue to run effectively and professionally.

“Although I’ve only known him a short time, I would like to thank Richard on behalf of the whole council for his many years of service and leadership, and I hope his retirement is long and happy.”

Richard Wills will retire on September 30, 2018. Recruitment has not yet begun for the post.