Spelthorne CEO Steps Down

Published on: 16 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 16 Dec, 2025

Daniel Mouawad, the former CEO at Spelthorne Council. Spelthorne Borough Council

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

Spelthorne Borough Council’s long-serving Chief Executive, Daniel Mouawad, has stepped down after eight years in charge – despite impending local government reorganisation changes that will make the position redundant.

Council officers across Surrey, at all levels, must be considering their future careers. There will be far fewer posts available at the new West and East Surrey Unitary Councils than there are in the 12 existing councils in the county, of which, heavily indebted Spelthorne is one.

The chief executive is the council’s most senior officer, responsible for making sure services run, staff are managed and big political decisions actually turn into action. Mr Mouawad has held the role since 2017, overseeing major changes across the borough.

During his time in office, the council opened what it said is the world’s largest Passivhaus leisure centre (the Eclipse Leisure Centre), delivered new housing schemes, helped secure huge investment at Shepperton Studios, and led the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on his departure, Mr Mouawad said in a press release it had been an “honour and a privilege” to serve Spelthorne, adding that the projects delivered during his tenure would leave a lasting legacy for residents and businesses.

Tributes poured in from councillors across the chamber. Mayor Cllr John Doran described him as a “staunch ambassador” for Spelthorne, while council leader Cllr Joanne Sexton thanked him for his leadership, particularly during the pandemic. Conservative opposition councillor and former council leader John Boughtflower praised Mr Mouawad’s “energy and commitment”, saying the borough had remained “bold, brave and innovative”.

What happens now

Terry Collier Spelthorne Borough Council

Taking over with immediate effect is Terry Collier, a long-serving council officer who has worked at Spelthorne for nearly 20 years. He becomes interim chief executive, while also continuing as the council’s chief finance officer.

‘Interim’ is the key word here. Mr Collier is not being appointed to lead Spelthorne long-term. Elections for the new shadow unitary authorities in Surrey are scheduled for May 2026, with new authorities expected to become operational in April 2027.

The council says it will recruit a chief executive to take the authority through to reorganisation, after which services, staff and decision-making are expected to move into the new, much larger council covering the whole of West Surrey.

In the short term, residents shouldn’t notice any immediate changes. Bins will still be collected, leisure centres will stay open and council services will continue as normal.

Councillors and officers will continue to keep everyday services running smoothly while planning for their own reorganisation.

But with the borough entering its final months as an independent council, the departure of its most senior officer marks more than just a personnel change it is a sign that Spelthorne, as people have known it for decades, is approaching the end of the road.