Appointment of Permanent Joint Strategic Director of Finance Confirmed

Published on: 24 Apr, 2024
Updated on: 25 Apr, 2024

Richard Bates

The appointment of Richard Bates as the joint strategic director of finance and Section 151 officer for Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils has been approved.

Guildford borough councillors supported the appointment at the extraordinary full council meeting on April 16 and now Waverley borough councillors have followed suit at their meeting yesterday (April 23).

The joint strategic director of finance and Section 151 (S151) officer is a key role and part of the Corporate Management Board at Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils.

Mr Bates has been in the role of interim Executive Head of Finance and S151 Officer since July 17, 2023. More recently he took on the role of interim joint strategic director of finance.

A qualified accountant and experienced local authority chief financial officer, he has previously held the S151 officer role at Dorset County Council and interim S151 officer at Mendip District Council.

Pedro Wrobel

The joint chief executive of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils, Pedro Wrobel, said: “Richard is a fantastic finance leader who is passionate about making Guildford and Waverley brilliant places to live, work and do business.

“He was instrumental in setting a balanced budget at both councils and I could not be more delighted that he has decided to join the team on a permanent basis.”