Council to appoint new chief executive

North East Lincolnshire Council’s appointments committee has made a recommendation to appoint Tony Hunter as its new chief executive.

Mr Hunter is currently executive director of community services at Liverpool City Council. He will take up his new post at North East Lincolnshire Council in September.

The appointment is subject to ratification at a special meeting of the full council on Wednesday, June 18.

Mr Hunter has worked in senior local government roles for more than 13 years, comprising six years with Liverpool City Council and eight years at East Riding of Yorkshire council as director of social services, housing and public protection.

Before that, he worked as a management consultant at Price Waterhouse, specialising in local and central government. He also worked at child care charity Barnardo’s, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.

Councillor Andrew De Freitas, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "I am greatly pleased to welcome Tony to the borough. He has an excellent track record and will bring the skills and experience needed to make a real difference to the lives of local people."

Deputy leader Councillor Keith Brookes said: “We look forward to working with Tony, he’s the right person to lead the council’s improvement agenda into the future. He has a wealth of experience that will serve him well in this critical role.”

Mr Hunter said: “This is an exciting time to join a council very much on its way up. I have been really impressed by the determination of the people I have met so far within the council and partner agencies to work closely with North East Lincolnshire residents in achieving a clear vision for the area, and I am looking forward to making my contribution to making North East Lincolnshire a great place to live, work and welcome visitors.

“The council leadership is very strong and it’s a privilege for me to know I will be playing my part in achieving their ambitions. On a personal level my family are as delighted as I am and we are looking forward to being part of the regeneration of North East Lincolnshire and an ever improving quality of life for its residents.”

With a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University, Mr Hunter is also a qualified social worker and was the president of the Association of Directors of Social Services in 2004/5. He is currently co-chair of the Association of Directors of Social Services Resources Committee.

Aged 54, he lives in East Yorkshire with his wife and two teenage children. Outside work he enjoys family pursuits, and long-distance running for cystic fibrosis, which affects some members of his family.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s former chief executive, George Krawiec, retired in April.