Council’s new CEO a Cutter above the rest
VETERAN Melbourne bureaucrat Martin Cutter was confirmed as the City of Greater Geelong’s new chief executive last night.
The City of Melbourne operations director will base his family in Geelong and is scheduled to take up City Hall’s top job in June.
City Hall’s new chief was not at last night’s meeting but said in a statement he was excited by the five-year appointment.
“The area is undergoing significant change and I can feel the energy the new council is bringing to this challenge,” Mr Cutter said.
“I have long held an ambition to work in, and contribute to, the region that I have seen grow over many years.
“I look forward to leading the organisation but also working in partnership with the region’s many stakeholders.”
The city council’s investment director Brett Luxford has been acting chief executive since predecessor Kelvin Spiller retired last month. Mr Luxford will remain in the role until Mr Cutter moves into his new office within six weeks.
Figures released last year revealed Mr Spiller received $400,000-$409,000 per annum and Mr Cutter is likely to receive the same cash package or slightly more.
Mayor Bruce Harwood acknowledged the Geelong Advertiser broke the story of Mr Cutter’s appointment during last night’s special meeting.
“Martin has worked at the highest levels in local government and also has a strong background in the private sector,” Cr Harwood said.
“It was a rigorous process, selecting our new CEO, and Martin really stood out as someone who understands how local government works and someone with a record of achievement.”
Before serving as City of Melbourne operations director, Mr Cutter worked as its corporate services director. He held senior roles at Australian River Co, ANL Limited and KPMG before entering the public sector.
Mr Spiller announced his resignation in mid-November.
While he had a year remaining on his three-year contract, he used the first day of the new councillor-led era to announce he would finish eight months early. real