New CEO Starts at County Council

Published on: 21 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 22 Aug, 2024

Terence Herbert

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

The new chief executive at Surrey County Council has said we are in the midst of “challenging times” for local government as he starts his first day at his six-figure job.

Terence Herbert officially replaced Joanna Killian – who left in March to head up the Local Government Association – on Monday (August 19).

Mr Herbert had been CEO of Wiltshire Council, a single authority that combined the roles of the county and boroughs before joining SCC.

According to Wiltshire’s last set of published accounts, in 2020/21 he received a total of £216,527 of which £178,948 was his base salary topped up with £37,579 in pension contributions.

His new packet has yet to be published but his predecessor was on £234,600 a year.

Mr Herbert said “Important work lies ahead as the organisation continues its transformation amidst challenging times for local government, but I know that together with the leader, members, staff and our partners we are well equipped to deal with those challenges and build upon much of the great work the authority has done to date.

“Throughout my time in local government, I have always understood the importance of cultivating a motivated, ambitious, high-performing workforce and that will be no different here. I look forward to working with the talented staff at the council to deliver quality services and outcomes for the residents and businesses of Surrey.”

Mr Herbert was appointed chief executive of Wiltshire Council in June 2020. He has also held senior leadership roles including head of service for safeguarding, associate director for children’s services, and executive director for children & families.

He began his career in nursing before qualifying as a social worker.

Mr Herbert made headlines during his time in Wiltshire after the Bristol Employment Tribunal ruled correspondence he sent to staff broke industrial relations law. Wiltshire Council spent £21,395 defending the case, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Tim Oliver – Leader of Surrey County Council

Cllr Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, stated on Monday: “I am very pleased to welcome Terence to Surrey today as he officially starts as our new chief executive.

“Terence has had a long and distinguished career in local government, and I have no doubt he is the right person to lead us through our next phase of improved delivery of the vital services that our residents depend upon.

“Having spent much of his earlier career in children’s services and mental health, I also know that he is passionate about delivering quality services for those most vulnerable residents across our communities and will embrace our ambition that no one in Surrey is left behind.”