Experienced council leader and Gloucestershire resident, Jo Walker, is appointed chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council this February 2025.
Jo, the current chief executive of North Somerset Council, is set to transfer to Gloucestershire in May 2025, pending cabinet approval this week. The move will see her take the reins from Peter Bungard, who is retiring this spring following 20 years in the role.
It comes as the council considers the future of local government in Gloucestershire as the lead authority on devolution, with its preferred option being the formation of a single unitary council — like North Somerset — amalgamating the county council and six district councils in Gloucestershire.
Jo has been chief executive at North Somerset for the past six years, leading the authority through the Covid-19 pandemic.
As part of her current role, Jo is a chief executive representative for the west of England, working with both the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and the Western Gateway regional partnership to secure millions in central government funding for North Somerset.
She has also sat on the Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board for the past six years; has chaired a regional mental health and disability board; and is the south west's lead chief
executive for finance and children’s services, advocating and lobbying government officials on behalf of all the region's councils.
Jo started her career at Gloucestershire County Council as a graduate trainee, working her way up to hold two director positions before leaving for North Somerset.
Leader of the council, Stephen Davies, said Jo's 'extensive knowledge and understanding' of Gloucestershire, coupled with her 'strong track record' at every level of local government, made her 'the standout candidate' and the hiring committee's unanimous choice.
Jo commented: 'I can’t wait to get started and do all I can to support the council, working alongside all elected members and staff to continue delivering for our communities and build on the strengths we have to achieve the shared ambition we have for Gloucestershire — reducing health inequalities, boost skills, attracting investment and jobs, whilst delivering great services for our residents.
'I am clear that we will not improve outcomes for residents alone — I am committed to building strong working relationships with our partners, across the public and private sector, to make sure we always do our collective best for Gloucestershire.'
