The new person to take the helm at the city council has been announced.
Mel Barrett, who is currently the Chief Executive of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, in Hampshire, was approved today (May 18) and will take the role from September.
The decision was made during a full council meeting, which was held over Zoom.
Mr Barrett’s appointment follows the departure of Ian Curryer at the end of April to take up a role as Chairman of Children First Northamptonshire.
Katherine Kerswell is currently the Interim Chief Executive, and will remain in post until Mr Barrett joins later this year.
Prior to joining Basingstoke and Deane council, Mr Barrett was the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, where he worked to secure the HS2 Crossrail interchange station in the borough, bringing significant investment.
Before that he was Oxford City Council’s Executive Director for City Regeneration, and Director of the London Development Agency.
City Council Leader, Councillor David Mellen, who represents the Dales ward for Labour, said: “I am delighted with Mel’s appointment to the role of Chief Executive at the City Council.
“He brings with him a wealth of experience at other councils and elsewhere and his credentials will undoubtedly help us to realise our enduring ambitions for the city beyond the current coronavirus crisis.
“Our Interim Chief Executive Katherine Kerswell will continue to steer the council through this difficult time where we are having to adapt and change to respond to issues the pandemic is presenting for our city.
“I’m confident she will hand over to Mel a council which is continuing to successfully deliver vital services to local communities and remains ambitious for a bright future for Nottingham.”
Mr Barrett, who is married with two sons now at university, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive and I look forward to working with Councillor Mellen, members, officers and partners to build on the strong foundations in place, and to continue the vital work under way to support residents and further improve the city into the future.”
