Cheshire East to appoint interim chief exec

Paul Walker is set to take on the lead council officer role for the local authority as it continues its push to find a permanent replacement for Rob Polkinghorne, who left in May.

Helen Charlesworth-May, executive director for adult services, has been fulfilling the duties of chief executive since Polkinghorne’s departure.

Walker is the former chief executive of Herefordshire Council, having stepped down from that role in March. He has more than 40 years of experience in the public sector.

Coming to Cheshire East would be a return to the North West for him – he is a former chief executive of Copeland Council, executive director at Blackpool Council, and executive consultant at Rossendale Council.

His appointment as interim chief executive for Cheshire East Council will be made official after a council meeting next week.

Walker’s career is described as having “encompassed leadership of major transformation and improvement programmes, financial recovery, regeneration, place-based services and strategic partnership working,” in the council report recommending his appointment.

The report continued: “He has extensive experience of working with elected members, government departments, health partners and regional organisations, and has established a strong track record in governance, organisational improvement, service delivery and economic development within complex political and financial environments.”

Cheshire East Council has had its share of difficulty, largely around lack of finances, over the past few years. However, its latest transformation strategy has put it on the right path, according to a report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.