Councils Partnership appoints new Deputy Chief Executive

Currently, John serves as Director of Neighbourhood & Environmental Services at Leicester City Council and will join the Partnership this March.

In his existing role he is responsible for most front facing council services serving Leicester's diverse population of some 350,000 people - from regulatory services, waste management and parks and open spaces through to community facilities, city cleansing and community safety. John has worked in senior leadership roles in Walsall Council and two district councils. He has a very broad CV which also includes experience in economic development and planning policy. Prior to entering local government in 1999 he worked for the Environment Agency and the former National Rivers Authority in Lincolnshire. Partnership working has been a consistent theme throughout John's career.

Rob Barlow, Joint Chief Executive of the three Councils, said: "I'm delighted that John will soon be joining us at the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Our recruitment process was incredibly competitive, and we're very pleased that it's resulted in someone of John's calibre joining our team. We're all looking forward to working with John and helping to drive forward our ambitious Partnership."

John Leach said: "I am very excited to be joining the three councils in the form of the trailblazing South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.  This clearly is a fantastic opportunity to ensure joined up, efficient and effective public service delivery for local communities that live in this most important sub-region.  I'm really looking forward to working with colleagues, partners and elected members on delivering the Partnership's vision and future ambitions for South and East Lincolnshire."

Nathan Elvery has been the interim Deputy Chief Executive since the inception of the strategic partnership in October 2021 as well as the Strategic Advisor in supporting the creation of the partnership with the three sovereign councils.