Nottingham City Council has announced that it is set to appoint its new Chief Executive next week.
The current Corporate Director for Growth and City Development Sajeeda Rose has been recommended for the role, having led successfully on planning, transport, economic development, property, major regeneration, and housing. The news comes after the previous Chief Executive, Mel Barrett, departed in May to take up the Chief Executive role at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing.
Alongside her previous experience, Rose also played a key role in the formation of the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Commenting on her new role, Rose said:
“Nottingham is a great city which I know well from my previous roles so I’m honoured to be selected as the council’s new Chief Executive.
“Our city has significant opportunities ahead. It is essential for the council to seize this potential and set out a new direction towards the improvements we are ambitious to achieve.
“I am focused on ensuring the council provides the best services within our available resources for our residents and works together in partnership with Nottingham’s communities and partners on the long-term vision for Nottingham.
“I do not underestimate the complexity of the challenge or the importance of the Chief Executive in driving forward the rapid and dramatic improvements needed within our organisation, but I am confident in our ability to work collaboratively to deliver the improvements the people for Nottingham so rightly deserve.”
Rose was recommended in a report that was published last week at the end of an ‘extensive’ recruitment process, with her appointment set to be formally confirmed at the council’s meeting on Monday 5th August.
Leader of the council, Cllr Neghat Khan, added:
“Sajeeda has a wealth of experience in leading change and transformation at the councils as well as in other organisations in the East Midlands. She led the transition of the housing management services back into the council and has led on the redevelopment of Broad Marsh which is a major opportunity for the city. As the Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, she was influential in successfully securing and delivering investment to support the regional economy and has a strong track record of performance and delivery.
“Our council faces significant challenges, but I am confident that Sajeeda’s knowledge, expertise and experience will help us to continue to move forward on our improvement journey.”
Image credit: iStock and Nottingham City Council
