Q&A with the Chief Executive

Cherwell is an extraordinary place to live and work. We have one of the highest-growth districts in the country, with thriving market towns, and beautiful countryside. In addition, we are situated in the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, an economic engine for the whole of the UK. 

Cherwell has excellent connections via the new East West Rail link, which links the two cities, and we are on the M40 north-south link. 

We’re part of a rich ecosystem of innovation, with Begbroke Science Park which is operated in conjunction with the University of Oxford, helping to put Cherwell at the heart of the UK’s knowledge economy. We see companies moving into Cherwell like YASA, which has just opened in the new Innovation Quarter at Bicester Motion. 

What excites me most is the opportunity we now have to reshape the way the council works, to deliver on our vision to be a modern council, enabling and inspiring positive, lasting change. It’s a chance to help shape our Council as a great place to work, and to help ensure our district is a great place to live and work.

We are looking for leaders who are energised by challenge and motivated to make a difference. Cherwell is a vibrant, fast-growing district, and to keep pace we need leaders who can help us become more agile, embrace innovation and deliver services more efficiently. 

These roles are central to our journey. They will play a key part in reshaping how we work – from streamlining processes and driving innovation, to ensuring residents receive the best possible value and service. For the right individuals, it’s an incredible opportunity to influence the council’s direction and make a lasting impact.

Our vision is clear: to be a modern council that enables and inspires positive and lasting change. That’s not only about what we deliver for communities, but also about the kind of values-based organisation we want to be. 

Our strategy focuses on creating vibrant economic centres, ensuring all communities share in the benefits of growth, and strengthening environmental stewardship. We are committed to modernising how we work, innovating, and creating a culture where staff are valued, supported and developed. 

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure residents get the best possible service, that every pound is used wisely, and that Cherwell continues to thrive as both a community and a council.

There’s a huge amount to be done, but the driver for doing it? It’s about believing deeply that we can do better for residents and that our staff can be better served by developing the type of culture we want. 

I view LGR and devolution as an opportunity, not an obstacle. Whatever the outcome, Cherwell will be a fundamental part of the solution because of the strength of our district and what we have to offer. 

By approaching this positively and with confidence, we can help shape the future rather than simply respond to it. Working collaboratively with neighbouring councils, the government, and partners will give us the chance to innovate, reduce costs, and ultimately deliver better services for our residents and the wider UK economy. 

There may be concern because of LGR, but if we’re bold and succeed in what we’re doing at Cherwell, then it puts our staff and senior leaders in the best position for whatever the future might hold to shape what a new authority looks like, and potentially to be leaders within it themselves. 

We are positive about LGR and devolution and what they may bring for not only our district but for our council and staff. We’re working collaboratively with five different councils, and we see it as an opportunity to be innovative in service delivery and organisational design, to create the right cultures, and to really partner with government and other stakeholders. 

When it comes to the kind of leader I am, I would describe myself as an inclusive, and collaborative leader. I am democratic and I have a clear vision for what we want to achieve. I enjoy mentoring and supporting as well as challenging – I’m someone who believes the best results come from highly effective teams. That’s the kind of culture we want to strengthen across Cherwell.

Our staff are talented, committed, and passionate about what they do. But we know we can make life easier by encouraging greater collaboration. Looking to the future, the leaders who will thrive here are those who value integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness, but who are also prepared to challenge, drive change, and inspire people to do their best work.

We are looking for candidates who are bold, innovative, and committed to building strong, collaborative teams. Success for Cherwell depends on a senior leadership team that shares a clear vision, drives a high-performance culture, and brings staff along on the journey of change.

That means developing people, preparing them for change and co-creating solutions that deliver meaningful, lasting improvements for both residents and staff.

For the roles we have available, there’s a genuine opportunity to come in and build on the success we have, and not be afraid to challenge how we might do things differently. People are coming in at a time when they can really help shape and lead that.

Culture sets the conditions for success. It’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and accountable – where they can do their best work and see exactly how it contributes to the council’s wider vision. 

This role will work closely with me across everything we are doing, helping me ensure that we are all working to the same agenda. We want to further develop a culture of collaboration where people work across the council for the benefit of residents, and a place where expectations are clear, performance is recognised, and people feel valued.

The right candidate will work with our senior leaders to ensure we have the right council framework in place to establish a clear line of sight from our vision and strategy to operational delivery and ensuring clarity of message and purpose. 

Find out more about the Head of Chief Executive's Office role and apply now.

We take our responsibilities in terms of biodiversity and climate extremely seriously. Like many councils, we have declared a climate emergency, and we are determined to lead from the front with our Climate Action Plan.

This new senior role reflects our ambition. It will give us the capacity to work more effectively across the county, strengthen partnerships, and ensure Cherwell is at the forefront of creating a greener, more resilient future for our communities. 

We’re looking for an exceptional candidate who understands what we need to do but also is able to work across the council and partners, because this is a council effort – both in terms of our own agenda for our organisation, but also the wider district. 

Find out more about the Head of Biodiversity and Climate Resilience position and apply now.

For me, this is a really important focus. Cherwell already delivers excellent services – from regulatory services, waste services, landscaping, housing and asylum support to health and wellbeing programmes that are being designed and replicated across other districts. But maintaining resident satisfaction in the face of tighter budgets requires us to think differently. 

This role is about reimagining how services are designed and delivered – preserving quality while finding new, more efficient approaches. We want someone who can bring fresh ideas, empower our people to explore new ways of working, and ensure Cherwell continues to deliver outstanding services in a sustainable way. 

Find out more about the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services role and apply now.

Cherwell District Council is an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive place to work. We’re not afraid to do things differently, and that creates exciting opportunities for our people. 

Projects like Graven Hill – the UK’s largest self-build housing development - are a testament to that, highlighting our willingness to be bold and innovative. At the same time, our new Local Plan reinforces our commitment to building strong, sustainable communities. 

For colleagues, this offers the chance to be part of a council with a clear vision, the courage to try new approaches, and the determination to deliver real results. 

Take a look at what current employees have to say about working at Cherwell.

I look for people who can demonstrate a track record of delivery and who share my values of collaboration, inclusiveness, and accountability; co-creating with me and other members of the SLT.

Great candidates are those who can demonstrate that they operate strategically and build and lead effective teams, co-create solutions and help us embed a positive performance culture. I want to ensure they are empowered to deliver in accordance with our overall vision and strategy. They’re not afraid of challenge, they’re committed to making a difference, and they put the success of the council and its communities ahead of personal recognition. 

Do your research and understand the unique opportunities and challenges facing Cherwell. Then think about how your experience and skills can help us deliver on our vision to be a modern, innovative, high-performing council. 

Be prepared to demonstrate how you’ve made a difference in the past, how you empower effectively and embed strong performance. Show us how you can help us move the organisation forward.

For me, it’s all about people. I am passionate about building high-performing teams, setting a clear vision, and giving colleagues the tools they need to succeed and work together. 

What excites me most is the chance to bring real innovation to the way we work – to create a culture where people thrive, services are continuously improved, and residents feel the benefit of everything we do.