Council chief swapping city for the Falklands
TAKING UP TOP JOB IN ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION
LEICESTER’S top-ranking council officer is leaving the city to take charge of local government in the Falkland Islands.
Andy Keeling has resigned from his £140,000-a-year post as the city council’s chief operating officer to take up a role as chief executive of the government of the South Atlantic British Overseas Territory.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby told councillors: “He doesn’t start until April so he is not rushing off and will have to endure a winter here in preparation for something even harsher in the South Atlantic.”
Mr Keeling joined the authority as a housing officer and rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer.
He then became the city council’s chief executive officer and head of paid service in 2011 when Sir Peter became the city’s first directly elected mayor.
Mr Keeling is trading a job at the top of a council running a city with a population of 550,000 for running a territory more than 8,000 miles away with a population of about 3,000. Islands newspaper Penguin News reported the chairman of the Falklands Legislative Assembly Roger Edwards saying: “Andy has an incredibly strong track record in local government, having worked at Leicester City Council for well over a decade where he has had a range of senior leadership roles.
“His very extensive experience, coupled with his enthusiasm for the Islands, gives me great confidence that he will be a real asset to the Falkland Islands Government.”
Outgoing chief executive Barry Rowland said: “I am pleased we have been able to secure someone of Andy’s calibre. He is keen to build on this government’s existing programme and understands the ambitions and priorities for the continuing development of the Islands.
“I look forward to working alongside him on his arrival, to ensure a smooth transition.”
Mr Keeling told Penguin News: “I am delighted and thrilled to have been made a conditional offer to be the next Falkland Islands government chief executive.
“I do not underestimate the challenges ahead and I hope I can build on the good work of Barry Rowland and continue the pursuit of economic and social growth, and environmental sustainability for which the islands are so well regarded.
“To carry out this role will be an absolute privilege.
“My wife Anya and I are really looking forward to making our home in the Islands and becoming a part of this fantastic community.”