West Northamptonshire Council’s interim chief executive, Martin Henry, is set to be confirmed in the permanent role when full council meets on 13 August, the authority has announced.
Selection follows period in acting role
Mr Henry, who has been acting as chief executive since October last year, was chosen by the council’s senior appointments committee. He currently serves as the council’s finance director and deputy chief executive and will move from an interim to a permanent position after the committee’s recommendation.
The council said Mr Henry had "played an integral role in shaping the young unitary council, driving forward service improvements and efficiencies and navigating the authority’s significant financial challenges." The announcement highlighted his more than 30 years of local government leadership and experience across several authorities.
“Having joined WNC from the beginning as finance executive director and chief 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.”
Background and priorities
Before joining West Northamptonshire Council at its creation in 2021, Mr Henry served as finance chief at the former South Northamptonshire Council. His career also includes positions across Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire, as well as roles at the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and in the private sector at Capita.
The council’s announcement sets out immediate priorities that will form Mr Henry’s remit as chief executive:
- Place-shaping and regeneration to stimulate economic growth and attract investment
- Major service transformation, including bringing housing and waste services in-house
- Maintaining financial sustainability amid a challenging public sector environment
Recruitment context and costs
This appointment follows an earlier recruitment round in December that drew 106 applicants but was abandoned after the committee could not decide on a candidate. A freedom of information disclosure by the local democracy reporting service revealed that the aborted recruitment round cost the authority £32,000.
| Event | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Acting chief executive | From October (previous year) |
| Abandoned recruitment round | December; 106 applicants; cost £32,000 |
| Formal appointment by full council | 13 August |
Local impact
The confirmation of a permanent chief executive is significant for residents and partner organisations. The new appointment comes as the council prepares to oversee large service changes and regeneration projects that will affect housing, waste collection and local planning. Mr Henry’s finance background will also be closely watched given ongoing pressures on public finances.
Members of the public and local stakeholders will have the opportunity to hear more about the council’s plans and the timeline for service transitions when the appointment is ratified at the August meeting.
