A top Bristol city councillor has quit the cabinet to take up a role with consultancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Cllr Helen Godwin, who held the portfolio for women, families and children, will continue as one of Southmead’s two ward councillors, having been reelected at May’s local elections.
Her departure leaves a gap in Marvin Rees’s Labour cabinet, with an announcement on her replacement expected “shortly”.
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Cllr Godwin, who joined the city mayor’s top team in March 2017, said: “To be part of Marvin’s cabinet and to have played a role in championing Bristol’s children for the past five years has been a joy and a privilege.
“I am immensely proud of the work we have done to improve children’s services including recognition for our foster carers and working to secure better outcomes and opportunities for our children in care.
“I look forward to continuing to support Marvin and the cabinet from the backbenches and to continuing to represent my ward of Southmead on Bristol City Council.”
Mr Rees said: “I'd like to thank Helen for the commitment, professionalism and integrity she has brought to the cabinet.
“She has put excellence and compassion at the heart of all she has done, and shown tremendous energy in delivering for women, young people and families in Bristol.
“She put her deeply held values front and centre to her role as one of our city leaders.
“I am sad to lose Helen from the cabinet but recognise it is a great opportunity for her to share her skills with even more people and organisations across the country.”
The council announced she was stepping down on Tuesday (August 31) – her last day as a cabinet member.
She joins accountancy firm PwC’s consulting business, specialising in government and health.
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