Alison appointed to Baw Baw’s top job
A woman with a background in local government and engineering has been appointed Baw Baw Shire’s new chief executive officer for the next five years.
Council confirmed the appointment of Alison Leighton at a special in-committee council meeting on Wednesday.
Ms Leighton, who is currently chief operating officer at Mornington Peninsula Shire, will begin with Baw Baw on August 21.
Mayor Joe Gauci announced Ms Leighton had been appointed on a five year contract with remuneration of $320,000 per year, which included salary, superannuation and vehicle.
Ms Leighton replaces Helen Anstis who resigned in January to take up an executive position with Services Victoria.
Cr Gauci said councillors began the recruitment process with a picture of what they wanted.
He said all nine councillors were involved in the appointment, which was an extensive recruitment process, led by Davidson Executive Recruitment.
Council received 44 applications for the position.
In her role at Mornington, Ms Leighton was responsible for a $35 million capital works program, management of a $40 million per annum long term infrastructure maintenance service contract, overseeing council’s planning and building services areas and leadership of the shire’s response to climate change.
“The calibre of applicants was outstanding across the board; however Ms Leighton’s broad experience in local government and authentic, contemporary approach to leadership made her a clear choice for the role.
“Ms Leighton joins us with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in infrastructure, planning, operations, program and service delivery and business transformation,” he said.
Ms Leighton is a qualified engineer, an alumni of Harvard Business School, an MBA graduate and a member of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (Victoria) Board.
“We are confident that Ms Leighton will do an outstanding job navigating the organisation efficiently and effectively through significant growth while ensuring delivery of council’s plans and visions,” Cr Gauci said.
Ms Leighton said she was looking forward to leading the organisation to identify opportunities for innovation, enhance customer service and productivity improvements.
“I am a collaborative leader, focused on performance and productivity on behalf of council and I will seek to empower the Baw Baw Shire team to deliver outstanding service to the community in all areas of the municipality.
“I have a very strong community service ethic and strive to create maximum value from ratepayer funds.
“My focus will be on creating value for council to redirect back to the community in the form of service improvements and the delivery of priority projects,” she said.
She said the shire was a unique municipality with a strong agricultural heritage, extraordinary natural assets, productive landscapes and many vibrant towns and villages.
“Given the projected population growth, increasing community expectations and the need to make the absolute best use of the ratepayer dollar, the shire is at a pivotal point in its history.
“I look forward to supporting council in addressing these challenges and in embracing the opportunities presented by innovation, digital transformation, customer focus and community capacity building,” Ms Leighton said.
Cr Gauci also acknowledged interim chief Phil Cantillon over the past five months.
Mr Cantillon, who is the shire’s community assets director, was appointed interim ceo in February.
Cr Gauci said Mr Cantillon’s professionalism and depth of organisational knowledge had been instrumental in paving a way forward for new councillors and the organisation.