New chief executive for Cheshire East Council formally unveiled

Cheshire East Council has formally appointed Lorraine O’Donnell as its new £150,000-a-year chief executive.

It follows the council’s cross-party staffing committee recommending Ms O’Donnell as their preferred candidate after a recruitment process.

Lorraine O’Donnell has more than 25 years’ experience working in local authorities.

Her most recent position was director of transformation and partnerships at Durham County Council.

She was part of the corporate management team at Durham that led the council through Local Government Reorganisation and on to become council of the year in 2014.

Cllr Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I would like to welcome Lorraine to Cheshire East Council and look forward to welcoming her to our beautiful borough.

“Lorraine brings valuable experience, skills and new perspectives that will help us to transform the council and continue to deliver for our residents.

“We have an ambitious programme ahead to improve the environment, economy, health outcomes and opportunities for everyone in Cheshire East and I am sure that Lorraine will help us in delivering that.”

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, said: “Cheshire East, as a borough and as a council, has enormous potential and I look forward to working with Lorraine to achieve that potential.

“Lorraine will play a vital role in leading the council’s staff and in building on our relationships with key partners in business, health and other public services.

“We have a high-performing economy and want to ensure we have a high-performing council to match.”

Lorraine said: “I am delighted to be joining Cheshire East Council as chief executive.

“This is a really exciting time to be joining the council and I am looking forward to working with elected members, staff and partners to serve residents and communities.”

Lorraine O’Donnell will start work at the council on March 30.

The council has appointed Frank Jordan, its executive director for place and deputy chief executive, as acting chief executive to cover the period following Kath O’Dwyer’s departure from the council.