27.04.06
Cornwall County Council appoints new Chief Executive

Sheila Healy, the Acting Regional Director for the Government Office for the West Midlands, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Cornwall County Council, the first time a woman has held the post in the Council's 117 year history.

Her appointment was unanimously confirmed at a meeting of the full County Council today. Welcoming the appointment David Whalley, the Leader of Cornwall County Council, said: "I am very pleased Sheila Healy has accepted the post of Chief Executive. Her enthusiasm and experience will be a great asset to the Council. The next few years will present many challenges for Cornwall and the Council. I am confident that Sheila will help us to meet those challenges."

Sheila has worked in a senior position in a number of local authorities in the Midlands area, including Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, where she was Chief Executive of City Challenge, a major regeneration initiative, and Walsall's Director of Environment.

In 1997 she became Corporate Director for Environment and Economy at the new unitary Council of Telford and Wrekin. Subsequently she was asked to head up their new Community Governance Directorship dealing with the modernisation and improvement agenda. She then joined IDeA (Improvement and Development Agency) in 2003 as their new Regional Associate for the West Midlands. In 2004 she was appointed as the Regional Director of Local Government Policy and Practice at the Government Office for the West Midlands, before being invited to take up the post as Acting Regional Director.

Sheila has a BA and an MA in Economics and Social Studies from Trinity College, Dublin. She has also undertaken a range of voluntary work, including Chair of Governors of a large primary school, Director and Vice Chair of the Ikon Art Gallery, and Chair of Audiences Central; a West Midlands wide body which encourages participation in the arts. She is also a member of the Theatrical Management Awards and an adviser to CIPFA on their Public Servant of the Year Awards.

Sheila said: "I am delighted to be offered the post of Chief Executive of Cornwall County Council. I very much look forward to working with elected members, staff and the partners and the communities of Cornwall - to build on its success and help it meet the challenges of the future."

For further information please contact Trisha Hewitt, press officer on 01872 322186 or email: phewitt@cornwall.gov.uk.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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