Barnet Council is looking for a new chief executive to tackle financial challenges and improve local services
Barnet: So, Barnet Council is on the hunt for a new chief executive. They just announced it, and it’s a pretty big deal. The acting CEO, Cath Shaw, has been holding the fort since June after John Hooton left.
They posted the job on their careers page last Friday, and the salary looks pretty sweet—between £206,492 and £218,002. Hooton had a solid run for eight years, and he really made some strides in improving services.
Under his leadership, they turned children’s services from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ and tackled climate change like champs. But now, the new chief will face some serious challenges, especially with finances and the demand for social care services.
Council leader Barry Rawlings has already warned that tough decisions are coming, with a budget gap of £52 million looming for 2025/26. The job description makes it clear: the new chief will need to transform services and empower local communities.
It’s not going to be a walk in the park, but it sounds like an exciting opportunity. The council hopes to fill the position by spring and is looking for both internal and external candidates. Let’s see who steps up!
