Northern Beaches Council’s new executive team unveiled
A new Northern Beaches Council leadership team has been revealed, with the number of executives underneath chief executive Ray Brownlee increasing from three to five.
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A NEW leadership team has been unveiled on the Northern Beaches Council, with the number of executives underneath CEO Ray Brownlee increasing from three to five.
That number will go to six when a director of workforce and technology is announced, meaning the number of deputies under Mr Brownlee will have doubled since he took the reigns.
Two of the new executives come from the council Mr Brownlee was formerly in charge of, Randwick.
Jeff Smith, Randwick’s director of corporate services will take on the director of corporate and legal services for the peninsula.
And Randwick’s director of city services, Jorde Frangoples will be the peninsula’s new director of transport and assets.
City of Sydney’s executive manager of development, Louise Kerr will take on a similar role with the Northern Beaches Council.
Former Northern Beaches Council general managers Ben Taylor (environment and infrastructure) and Helen Lever (customer and corporate) were not successful in the application process.
“It was a very competitive field... (Ben and Helen) were not successful in this process,” Mr Brownlee said.
“I would like to thank both Helen and Ben for their outstanding contribution to Northern Beaches Council.
“Their leadership, commitment and work ethic have significantly contributed to the success of the Council. We wish them good luck and best wishes in the next phase of the careers.”
Mr Brownlee told the Manly Daily the new team reflects the organisation’s strategic focus on delivering the highest quality service to the community.
“The calibre of professionals who want to work with us has been outstanding,” Mr Brownlee said. “With a strong focus on community, our new leadership team brings enormous talent and experience that will guide the transformation of the organisation.
“Our elected Council has much they want to achieve and we have high expectations from our community.
“The new structure, leadership team and our committed workforce will drive us forward to deliver our Community Strategic Plan and achieve real benefits for our residents.”
The council undertook a rigorous and competitive recruitment process with more than 241 applications received for the six leadership positions.
The applicants were shortlisted by hiring company Derwent Executive.
The shortlist was then interviewed by an independent general manager from another council,
Mr Brownlee and a member of the Dewent team.
It was overseen by a Northern Beaches Council probity officer.
In accordance with the Office of Local Government guidelines, the CEO undertook a consultation with councillors.
The team is:
Director Community and Belonging - David Kerr:
Mr Kerr has returned to the executive of Northern Beaches Council as the director of community and belonging. He previously served as the planning manager.
He has more than 15 years’ experience in senior management within local government, working across a broad range of portfolios.
Director Environment and Sustainability - Todd Dickinson
He is currently executive director, Natural Environment and Climate Change, at Northern Beaches Council. Mr Dickinson has more than 20 years’ experience in the environment field.
A statement released by the council said he has a background in both technical and leadership roles with a strong track record in the delivery of works, services, strategic planning and implementing change.
Director Corporate and Legal - Jeff Smith
Mr Smith’s has served as director of corporate services at Randwick Council since August 2014. The council’s statement said Mr Smith is a strategic leader in local government with experience across a broad diversity of portfolios including corporate and financial planning, financial operations, human resources, administration services, business systems, technology systems and spatial systems departments.
Director Planning and Place - Louise Kerr
Ms Kerr is taking on the role on the back of working in a similar role in Sydney’s biggest council, the City of Sydney.
She has more than 25 years’ experince in local government.
Her previous role at City of Sydney was to lead 220 staff in the largest planning assessment and regulatory division in NSW at the City of Sydney.
Director Transport and Assets - Jorde Frangoples
Mr Frangoples brings more than 25 years’ experience in local government and has an excellent understanding of the issues relating to service delivery, people management both internally and externally, as well as the provision of infrastructure.
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