New chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council has been named

He will take over from interim chief executive Stephen Chandler, who has been in post since February 2022, when the process of ending the partnership between Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council began.

The then-chief executive of both councils Yvonne Rees reverted to her initial post with the district.

Mr Chandler, then the county’s director of adult social care, stepped up on a temporary basis while a permanent successor for the county only was sought.

Dr Reeves is set to switch from the same role at Coventry City Council where he has been chief executive since 2009, with responsibility for overseeing 4,500 employees, a £750 million revenue budget and a £250million capital programme.

From 2008 - 2009 he was chief executive of Bedfordshire County Council, after serving as assistant chief executive there from 2006 - 2008.

He said: “The time is right for a new challenge, and I am proud to be remaining in local government, which is an area that makes such a positive difference to so many lives.

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“I have worked with so many great people in Coventry and been given the opportunity to deliver major change as well as innovative programmes that have transformed the way we deliver services to our residents.

“Similar challenges and opportunities lie ahead in Oxfordshire – a county full of ideas, innovation, inspiration, and an ambition to deliver.

“Oxfordshire has internationally recognised universities and high-tech institutions, a thriving economy and vibrant rural and urban communities, but it also faces challenges including a growing and ageing population, rising demand for housing and vital services, such as adult social care. The county also contains 10 of the most deprived wards in England.

“I look forward to working hard with not only new colleagues at the county council to tackle these issues, but crucially with partners, residents and Oxfordshire’s wide and active communities to make the county the very best place it can be.”

Martin Reeves has also served as chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority and head of paid service (2016 - 2017), where he was responsible for the authority being given the power to choose its first directly elected mayor for the West Midlands.

His previous experience in local government includes roles at Westminster City, Waltham Forest and Reigate and Banstead councils, following a career in academia prior to 2000.

The appointment was made by Oxfordshire County Council’s Remuneration Committee, which is made up of a cross-party panel of elected members, following a recruitment process.

The role is supported by an annual salary of £225,000, up from £185,000 following “an externally commissioned salary benchmark review” which involved “consideration of subsequent national pay awards and comparable national roles” where appointments have been made recently.

The county council said it is was not an unusual figure for such a demanding position and chief executive pay can reach nearly £300,000 per annum.

It said the chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council "is in charge of one of the largest employers in the county, with more than 5,000 employed centrally with a further 6,000 employees in maintained schools, and a gross annual budget of £734million in 2022-23, and therefore requires a great deal of experience and high levels of expertise.

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"By recruiting an experienced and established CEX with a proven track record, the package we offered had to be competitive."

The county council also confirmed he will not have a parking space.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Martin as our new chief executive. He brings with him a wealth of experience in local government and we believe he is the right person to take the council forward and enable us to deliver the administration’s ambitious priorities.

“I would also like to express my thanks to Stephen for his leadership and support during this period of transition.”

Dr Reeves’ starting date is due to be agreed after his appointment was formally agreed at a full council meeting on December 13.

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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