01.03.19
Doncaster Council and SOLACE boss to depart for ‘once in a lifetime’ New Zealand council job
Doncaster Council chief executive and SOLACE president Jo Miller is to leave the authority in order to take up a new role in New Zealand as head of Hutt City Council.
Miller will leave Yorkshire in July to become the chief executive of the city council near Wellington after the acting mayor of the New Zealand authority said she was the standout candidate.
She took over at Doncaster Council on a permanent basis in November 2011 and mayor Ros Jones paid tribute to Miller for “helping Doncaster through its most testing times.”
Jones said: “Jo is an exceptionally talented chief executive who leads with her head and her heart, driven to do the very best for all of our communities. In Jo’s time at Doncaster she has helped shape us into a council that has high ambition for its residents and our future.
“The last seven years have seen significant economic growth enjoyed by more of our people. Partnership working and collaboration is at the heart of Jo’s approach and she should take great credit for that and for leading the workforce well through a significant period of change.”
The borough’s three MPs Rosie Winterton, Ed Miliband and Caroline Flint all wished her well in her new job – and Dan Fell, the chief executive of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce congratulated her on the new opportunity of a lifetime after having an “enormous impact on Doncaster.”
Acting Lower Hutt mayor David Basset said: “Jo currently holds one of the most high-profile local government roles in the UK and has been named the third most influential person in local government there. We believe she has the vision and the drive to step into this critical leadership role and take our city forward.”
Miller will replace Tony Stallinger at Hutt City Council, whilst Doncaster said plans for her successor were under consideration and would be announced in the near future.
Miller said: “I look forward to building on the great work that has been done to date, and working with the mayor, councillors, staff, iwi, partners and the community to ensure Lower Hutt is the very best it can be for all its people.
“We Millers are excited about our move to New Zealand in a few months’ time and intend to live, work and educate our boys in Lower Hutt.”