The council’s Appointments Committee has put forward Andrew Crookham, the current deputy chief executive, as the preferred candidate to be the authority’s new chief executive.
Following the announcement by Debbie Barnes of her intention to retire in March next year, a recruitment process has been carried out during the autumn.
This decision to appoint Andrew will go to the next full council meeting on Friday 21 November for final approval.
Debbie Barnes, the council’s current Chief Executive, said:
“Andrew has been a valued member of our Corporate Leadership Team since 2019 when he joined us as the executive director of resources, later also being appointed as deputy chief executive.
“Andrew has been an inspirational leader and has transformed our IT services, led an ambitious property rationalisation programme and implemented significant transformation of our services. This has delivered significant savings, improved productivity and ensured the council has remained in a strong and sustainable financial position. I am confident that he will continue to lead the services at the council to improve the lives of many within our communities and I wish him every success.
“We’ll be doing a thorough handover process and I’m confident that when I retire next year, Andrew will continue to provide stable and considered leadership. This will be particularly important as we approach a time of change and local government reorganisation in Lincolnshire in the coming years.”
Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Sean Matthews, said:
“Andrew’s appointment is testament to the hard work and leadership he has already demonstrated. Having been responsible for the council’s financial management, his knowledge will also be valuable as we strive to provide the most efficient services and eliminate waste across council services.”