'Finances are a significant challenge': Interim Chief Executive at West Northants Council steps up after Anna Earnshaw leaves authority
Martin Henry has started in the role as interim chief executive after Anna Earnshaw stepped down this month
A new Interim Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has stepped into the role after the former head of paid service left the authority at the end of last week.
Martin Henry took up the new position on Friday, November 7, following the departure of Anna Earnshaw. She announced earlier this year that she was looking to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with her family, having led WNC from its inception and through its formative years.
Mr Henry has stepped up from his previous role as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Deputy Chief Executive at West Northants. He will be in place on an interim basis until the permanent recruitment process for the position is completed.
He has held the finance officer role, also known as Section 151 Officer, with the council since June 2020. He also has over 20 years of experience as a CFO in local government, previously working at the former South Northamptonshire Council before it was dissolved and at Northamptonshire County Council in 2000.
Mr Henry told the LDRS: “I’m Northamptonshire born and bred, and I care deeply about Northamptonshire and the communities and everything that goes on here.
“Finances are a significant challenge and in stepping into the interim role of Chief Executive, I think one of the key things that we will always be conscious of here is just how difficult the finances are and we will get that consistent messaging going forward.”
His former role and statutory responsibilities as finance officer will be redistributed to existing council officers whilst he is undertaking the Chief Executive Officer role.
He explained that the decision was made to utilise the “talent” already within WNC to fill the roles to avoid paying out expensive day rates and consultancy fees on a temporary basis and therefore “save as much money as possible”.
‘He brings both continuity and capability’
The decision to appoint Mr Henry as the interim head of paid service after Ms Earnshaw’s departure was approved at the last full council meeting in September.
At the meeting, WNC Leader Cllr Mark Arnull paid tribute to the former chief executive’s professionalism and support through their transition as the council’s new Reform UK administration.
He said of the new interim head: “I can think of no better person to act up into this role than Martin Henry. I’m sure almost all members in this place will agree with that.
“Martin isn’t just a safe pair of hands, he’s the full toolkit in my opinion and has been incredibly gracious and supportive of the administration coming into office. He brings both continuity and capability at a time when we need both.
“I’ve got every confidence under Martin’s stewardship that we will continue to deliver our residents with ambition, integrity and impact, whilst we embark on the journey of recruiting a successor for Anna.”
The council has already started its recruitment process for a permanent member of staff to take on the Chief Executive role, offering a salary of up to £201,902.
Cllr Arnull confirmed that the council is no longer accepting applications to the position and that the recruitment team is currently reviewing applicants to be the next head of paid service.