Interim council boss set for permanent role
Martin Henry, who stepped up after Anna Earnshaw departed, has been chosen to become the new boss at West Northamptonshire Council
By Sarah Ward
The interim boss at West Northants Council is set to take on the role permanently after winning over councillors on the senior appointments committee.
Martin Henry, who is the council’s finance boss and deputy chief executive, has been acting as the interim chief executive since October last year after long standing boss Anna Earnshaw departed shortly after Reform UK took control of the authority.
Henry, who was the finance boss at the former South Northamptonshire Council, became head of finance at WNC when it was formed in 2021.
He will be formally appointed to the role when the full council next meets on August 13.
An announcement by the authority this afternoon said:
“Having joined WNC from the beginning as finance executive director and ehief financial officer, Martin has played an integral role in shaping the young unitary council, driving forward service improvements and efficiencies and navigating the authority’s significant financial challenges.
“With extensive leadership experience in local government spanning more than 30 years, Martin has previously held roles at every type of local authority and at several authorities across Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. Martin also worked previously at the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, and in the private sector as director at Capita.
“Martin takes the reins as the council heads into its next chapter, with a focus on key priorities including accelerating place-shaping and regeneration to drive economic growth and investment, major service transformation including the in-house transition of housing and waste services and maintaining financial sustainability in the challenging public sector environment.”
Mr Henry was been selected for the role by the council’s senior appointments committee, which met last Friday. A first round of recruitment last December, which drew in 106 applicants, was abandoned after the committee could not decide on a candidate. A FOI by the local democracy reporting service, discovered the recruitment round cost the authority £32,000. The council says the second round of recruitment involved a ‘refocused’ approach and took place across June and July.
Council leader Mark Arnull said:
“I am delighted that Martin has been selected as our new chief executive. His leadership over the past eight months has already ensured stability and significant improvements across the organisation
“We received a real breadth of strong and high quality applications during this second round of recruitment and were pleased to see Martin’s application among them. Having carefully interviewed and considered a strong field of candidates, the committee was clear in its decision that Martin was the ideal choice to lead the council into its next chapter.”
“Moving forward our focus is firmly on place leadership – working with communities, partners and businesses to shape a stronger future for the area. With a proven track record, deep understanding of the organisation and a passion for West Northamptonshire, Martin is ideally placed to lead us on this journey.”
Martin Henry said:
“I am extremely proud and honoured to be selected as chief executive for a council and a place that I care so deeply and passionately about. West Northamptonshire is where I went to school, is my home and my community and I will be tireless in my work and commitment to improving outcomes wherever possible for everyone living and working here.
“There are exciting and ambitious times ahead for West Northamptonshire and, working with our partners and communities I will hit the ground running as we move into this next crucial chapter for our council.”
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