East Hertfordshire District Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 20th August 2025. The agenda included receiving chair's announcements, apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and a report regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service).

Appointment of the Chief Executive

The council was scheduled to discuss a recommendation to appoint a preferred candidate as Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service). The proposed spot salary was £127,706, with an additional £10,000 Head of Paid Service allowance. The salary included the 2025/26 pay award.

The Public reports pack 20th-Aug-2025 17.00 Council noted that following the resignation of Richard Cassidy in August 2024, Helen Standen was appointed as Interim Chief Executive in October 2024 for a term of 12 to 18 months.

A Chief Officer Recruitment Committee was formed to manage the process of finding a permanent Chief Executive. According to the Public reports pack 20th-Aug-2025 17.00 Council, Elly Starling, Strategic Human Resources and Organisational Development Lead, and members of the HR function supported the recruitment. The position was advertised in the Municipal Journal, on LinkedIn, and on the council's recruitment page.

The Public reports pack 20th-Aug-2025 17.00 Council stated that:

Upon completion of the agreed assessments the committee unanimously agreed to permanently appoint Helen Standen as Chief Executive to lead East Herts Council through this vital evolution of local government.

Minutes from the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee meetings on 3rd July, and 23rd and 24th July are available in Appendices A and B. The meeting on 3rd July included Councillor Ben Crystall, Leader of the Council, Councillor Mione Goldspink, Councillor Alex Daar, Councillor Bob Deering, and Councillor Eric Buckmaster. The committee considered completed applications and agreed on a shortlist of four candidates for assessment. The meetings on 23rd and 24th July included Councillor Ben Crystall, Leader of the Council, Councillor Mione Goldspink, Councillor Alex Daar, Councillor Ian Devonshire (substituting for Councillor Bob Deering), and Councillor Eric Buckmaster. The committee considered the outcomes of staff, stakeholder, and member panels, as well as written exercises and presentations for each candidate.