New chief executive confirmed for St Albans district council
Amanda Foley. Picture: Pete Stevens - Credit: Pete Stevens
Amanda Foley has been officially appointed as the council’s new chief executive.
Following her earlier recommendation to the post, Amanda’s appointment was approved unanimously by councillors at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, July 12.
Amanda is currently the council’s head of corporate services, and is in charge of customer services, human resources, recruitment and training, information technology and business improvement.
She was recommended for the role by the council’s employment procedure committee, which advertised the vacancy and interviewed a shortlist of five candidates.
Amanda, who starts on Monday, said: “I am excited about taking up this opportunity and am looking forward to working with councillors and staff in my new role.
“These are exciting and challenging times for the council with a range of new projects now underway. These include the new museum and art gallery in St Albans and a new sports and cultural centre in Harpenden.
“We are also looking to develop a seven acre site in the heart of St Albans. We will review options and develop a strategy to complete our strategic Local Plan that identifies land for housing and other development.
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“Besides that, we will continue to modernise the delivery of services such as planning, housing, car parking and waste management to provide them in an efficient way.”
Amanda, who lives in the district with her family, joined the council eight years ago from Ofsted, where she was head of HR strategy. She has also previously worked in banking, retail and the civil service.
Cllr Alec Cambell, the council leader who chaired the cross-party employment procedure committee, said: “I am pleased that full council accepted our recommendation and that Amanda has been appointed to the post.
“Along with other councillors, I will be working closely with her to deliver the council’s priority projects over the coming years.”
Amanda takes over from James Blake, who was the chief executive for four and a half years. He is leaving to become chief executive of the Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales).
