Council chief executive to retire

After 15 years as Chief Executive, Chris Williams has announced his intention to retire from the County Council on 31 March 2016.
A10 Week 37
MCBH
DP
Chris Williams - Bucks County Council Chief Executive ENGPNL00120130424094149A10 Week 37
MCBH
DP
Chris Williams - Bucks County Council Chief Executive ENGPNL00120130424094149
A10 Week 37 MCBH DP Chris Williams - Bucks County Council Chief Executive ENGPNL00120130424094149

Chris, 67, began his career in local government as a town planner with Glamorgan County Council. He was the County Planning Officer of East Sussex from 1989 to 1996.

He served as the President of the County Planning Officer Society in 1994-1995. He is one of the longest-serving County Chief Executives in the country.

Prior to becoming Buckinghamshire’s Chief Executive in 2000, Chris was the Council’s Director of Environmental Services from 1996. Chris has led peer reviews of Gloucestershire and Warwickshire County Councils and has carried out a Capability Review of the Ministry of Defence. He has held a number of directorships of environmental, business, European and community safety organisations in Sussex, Buckinghamshire and across the Thames Valley. He is also the Clerk to the Buckinghamshire Lieutenancy and Visiting Research Fellow of the University of Sussex as well as being Chief Executive for South East England Councils, a body representing 74 local councils.

Mr Williams said: “Working for Buckinghamshire has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career, and I am very proud of what the Council and all of its employees has achieved. We are recognised as one of the best and most innovative Councils in the whole country. We have continued to deliver high quality services to the people of Buckinghamshire despite many years of austerity.

“I’ve been privileged to work with such a highly skilled and motivated senior management team and all of our incredibly dedicated employees, who will continue to serve all who live and work in Buckinghamshire.”

Leader of the Council, Martin Tett, said: “Chris has been a first class Chief Executive. Under his leadership, the Council has consistently been rated as one of the highest performing County Councils in England, and Chris has always demonstrated an unswerving commitment to improving lives for Buckinghamshire’s residents.

“Chris is a well-respected figure in local government and he will be very much missed by colleagues. We all wish him a long and happy retirement.”