Cheshire East council appoints new interim chief executive

Cheshire East Council has appointed David Parr OBE as its new interim chief executive.

David Parr, who was previously chief executive of Halton Borough Council for 18 years, was formally appointed by a meeting of full council on Wednesday 18 October.

He had earlier been identified as the preferred candidate by the council’s appointments committee. 

David has extensive experience in local government, having been chief executive in three authorities, including former Macclesfield Borough Council, before it was reorganised as part of Cheshire East Council in 2009. 

David’s partnership approach has delivered many significant achievements and opportunities for the communities he has served, most notably the delivery of the £1.5 billion Mersey Gateway Bridge project, and he brings with him valuable experience of all areas of local government.

In 2019, David was awarded an OBE for services to local government in Halton and Cheshire and prior to this he was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration by the University of Chester, for services to Cheshire and local government. 

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said:

“I’m delighted that someone with David’s experience has been appointed as Cheshire East Council’s interim chief executive. The chief executive role plays a critical part in us navigating our way through the challenges that local government is facing and enables us to deliver against the priorities that we have for the borough. 

“I would like to thank Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, as our departing chief executive, for her work and wish her well in her new role. Lorraine’s contribution to developing the organisation we are today has been significant and invaluable. This has been a time of change for Cheshire East Council and Lorraine has been a driving force, supporting and delivering our vision for the borough. 

“The work continues to find a new permanent chief executive and David’s leadership, in the interim, will help us in the next stage of our journey, seizing new opportunities and meeting the challenges that we have ahead of us.” 

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council said:

“David is an experienced leader with a track record of making a difference across Cheshire and Halton. His local knowledge will be a great asset while he supports us as the interim chief executive. 

“He is joining us at a challenging time especially in respect of the financial position of local government and more specifically in Cheshire East, where we are where we are seeking to understand the impact of the government’s decision to cancel HS2.  “Lorraine joined Cheshire East Council just as the first Covid lockdown began. In her three-and-a-half years as chief executive, Lorraine has supported the organisation through the duration of the pandemic.

“This has included leading significant changes to working practices for our officers and councillors alike. Lorraine can be proud of many achievements, not least supporting the move to the committee system – a significantly different form of governance and decision-making for the council.

 “The organisation is now in a strong position. I thank her and wish her luck for the future.”

Pictured - David Parr the new interim chief executive.