Chief Executive of Wandsworth Council leaving to become Interim Chief Executive of The Government of Jersey

The Chief Executive of Wandsworth and Richmond Councils is leaving to become the Interim Chief Executive of The Government of Jersey.

The Jersey Evening Post has reported the 12 month contract comes with a salary of £225,000.

A statement from the Government of Jersey said Paul Martin will be joining the Government on March 1, 2021, following his arrival in Jersey and his receipt of a negative coronavirus test.

Mr Martin joined Wandsworth Council in 2010, and since 2016 has also been Chief Executive of Richmond Council as part of the shared staffing arrangement between the two councils.

Mr Martin originally announced he would be stepping down from Autumn 2020, however this was delayed to lead the emergency response to the pandemic.

Proposals will be made to both full councils that Mark Maidment, the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive, will step-up as interim Chief Executive during the recruitment process.

Cllr Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, thanked Mr Martin for his eleven years of service.

He said: "Paul has led an exceptional group of officers to support our community and enhance Wandsworth's reputation as an exemplar in the way it has risen to these challenges and he leaves a remarkable record of sound achievement."

Cllr Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, also paid tribute to Mr Martin as a "steady hand on the tiller" as the councils navigated their way through the shared staffing arrangement and the pandemic.

He added: "His professionalism and dedication to effective governance has ensured Richmond Council is on a strong footing as we move forward."

Mr Martin said it was the "privilege" of his career to be the Chief Executive at both councils.

"South West London is widely seen as the most attractive part of the capital city in which to live and work, and this is in no small part due to the work of the two councils," he said.

"For the past four years, our shared service has delivered £60 million efficiency savings across the two boroughs, meaning we can provide better social care, cleaner streets and more parks and leisure services than would have otherwise been the case. All of this is down to our fantastic staff group which has risen to every challenge asked of them.

"It's not an easy decision to leave such a fantastic job, but I know in my heart this is the right time for a new Chief Executive to take the two councils into their next phase of growth and development and lead the boroughs through the recovery of the pandemic. My successor will find the spirit of municipal ambition alive and well amongst our members and staff".