‘He was undeniable’: New CEO set to enhance Shellharbour Council’s ’brand’
Shellharbour is ready to “come into its own” according to the city’s mayor with the appointment of a new CEO following a nationwide search.
Illawarra Star
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Shellharbour Council has unveiled its new chief executive with Western Australian Michael Archer standing out from a field of “quality candidates” to snare the position.
Mr Archer is a local government veteran with more than four decades of experience having most recently spent 12 years as CEO of the City of Busselton.
It‘s only the second week in the $370,000 job for Mr Archer who said family ties and fresh experiences were what encouraged him to take the 3900km cross-country career step.
Mr Archer said there were similarities between Busselton and Shellharbour with the new CEO keen to evolve on the foundations laid by the man he‘s replaced, Carey McIntyre, who spent seven years in the role.
“Busselton is very similar to Shellharbour,” Mr Archer explained.
“It’s a growth council, it’s a tourism place, a lot of people come down from metropolitan Perth and it’s known for the Margaret River, its wines and for its events.
“I know Carey personally and I hope I can bring a new approach and some fresh ideas with my different experiences.
“We have a wonderful opportunity in the branding of the city and the events and the tourism area.
“Shellharbour to me is a growing council and will become a more important council in the whole Illawarra area. We’re looking to make Shellharbour a better city to work and live and invest in.”
Mr Archer he’s been “watching the press” to assist getting his head around his new role where he will experience what it’s like in the chamber at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“I’ve done lots of research,” he said.
“I‘ve been reading the newspapers and watching the press. I’ve also got connections here in NSW through my professional work so I have a pretty good idea of what I could expect coming to Shellharbour.
I’ve had one-on-one meetings with the councillors and I will have my first opportunity to go to a council meeting tomorrow night.
“It’s new and it’s a little bit different, it’s not the same as WA, but it’s an opportunity for me to learn something new as well. ”
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said there was a competitive field of candidates for the position, but he was “extremely happy” the council landed Mr Archer.
“I was advised when Carey left that this was an important role and we needed to get it right,” Cr Homer told NewsLocal.
“I am extremely happy with Mike, he was an outstanding candidate. He had so much experience and he’s spent most of his life in organisations like this and his experience shone through – it was undeniable.
“There was a lot of interest [in the position]. We fielded something like 26 quality candidates so the interest was really solid.
“I see Shellharbour as a blue-chip council. We’re good with finances and it’s a beautiful city to live in and I think Shellharbour is about to come into its own and we needed someone like Mike with all of his experience to really bring it together.”
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