The Appointments Etc Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (Section 151). The meeting's agenda also included procedural items such as the election of a chair and vice-chair, and the confirmation of minutes.

Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (Section 151)

A significant item on the agenda was the proposed appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (s151). The report pack outlined a recommendation that the Panel approve the Job Description and Person Specification for the role. It was also recommended that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business, be authorised to commence the permanent recruitment process for the position. The appointment itself would be brought to a later Appointments Etc. Panel.

The background to this item noted that the current postholder had accepted a role with another council. The report pack detailed the responsibilities of the s151 Officer, who is legally required under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 to ensure the proper administration of a local authority's financial affairs. The role is graded as a Band 1 Assistant Director, with a salary range of £99,821 to £109,739, plus an 18% responsibility allowance.

The proposed recruitment process, as detailed in the report pack, suggested an initial internal advertisement for the post. This approach was favoured due to the current financial challenges, the importance of corporate knowledge for the s151 Officer, and the competitive market for such high-calibre candidates. The report highlighted that Shropshire Council had recently advertised a similar role with a higher salary and had been unable to appoint.

If an internal candidate was not appointed, an external recruitment process would be initiated, managed internally by Human Resources and utilising recruitment channels such as MJ, Guardian online, and LinkedIn. Applications would be assessed against the job description and person specification, with potential candidates progressing to long-list interviews and external assessments before a final short-list would be presented to the Appointments Etc. Panel for selection and appointment.

The Job Description and Person Specification for the Chief Financial Officer role emphasised the need for a leader who champions Our People Values – Customer Focus, 'Can do' Culture, and Freedom within Boundaries. The role's purpose was described as taking operational responsibility for transforming functional areas to ensure Worcestershire is a great place to live, work, and do business. The post holder would be expected to inspire, influence, and challenge leaders across the council and its partners, operating within a challenging financial envelope and leading innovative solutions within a reducing budget.

Key accountabilities for the role included contributing to the operational leadership and management of the council, sharing collective ownership of outcomes, and leading the development and implementation of corporate policies. The post holder would also be responsible for delivering identified outcomes within available resources, providing effective advice to elected members, and creating a culture of accountability. Specific responsibilities as Chief Finance Officer included discharging the duties of the Officer Responsible for Financial Administration (Section 151), leading on strategic financial advice, and being responsible for budget preparation and the Medium Term Financial Plan. The role also encompassed being the lead adviser on Local Government Finance matters, ensuring compliance with financial legislation, and managing capital and revenue expenditure. Furthermore, the Chief Financial Officer would be responsible for the production and audit of statutory accounts and overseeing the Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund.

The person specification outlined the need for a candidate with a degree or equivalent qualification and membership of a recognised professional accounting body. Substantial successful leadership experience at a senior strategic level within an organisation of appreciable scale and complexity was deemed essential, with a proven track record of leading, improving, and transforming major service areas. A thorough understanding of the challenges facing local government, coupled with financial and commercial awareness, was also required. Personal qualities highlighted included being an effective and visible leader, a moderniser committed to improvement, and possessing the ability to work effectively in a political environment with sensitivity and diplomacy. The role also demanded resilience, calmness under pressure, and the highest standards of personal integrity.