December 18, 2019 10.52 am This story is over 51 months old

West Lindsey council names new CEO

A new executive structure for the council
New CEO Ian Knowles with WLDC Leader Councillor Giles McNeill.

West Lindsey District Council has appointed former Executive Director of Resources Ian Knowles as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Councillors on WLDC’s Chief Officer Employment Committee felt the council’s structure of three Executive Directors was no longer the right approach.

They carried out a rigorous interview process and confirmed their decision this week.

Ian has been working at the council for five and a half years and until this appointment was the Executive Director of Resources.

He has worked in local government since 1992. He has 10 years’ experience working in Children’s Services and immediately prior to working at West Lindsey Ian worked for a national, procurement organisation specialising in local government.

Ian said: “I am pleased to have been appointed to the role of Chief Executive and I look forward to helping West Lindsey to grow and develop both as a district and as a local authority by working collaboratively with councillors, staff and local communities.”

Councillor Giles McNeill, Leader of West Lindsey District Council said: “The Chief Officer Employment Committee has taken a deliberate approach in recent months to ensure that there will be a resilient and effective senior management structure to support our new Chief Executive.

“It had become increasingly clear to me that our triumvirate model of three Executive Directors was no longer the right approach as we move into the 2020s.

“Strategic partnerships are increasingly important to local authorities and it has become clear to me that a single point of contact is a significant advantage.

“As Leader, I look forward to working with our new Chief Executive to deliver the administration’s agenda over the next three and a half years.”