Councillors confirm new Chief Executive for South Cambridgeshire District Council

Councillors have confirmed the appointment of Beverly Agass as the new Chief Executive for South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Mrs Agass, the current Chief Executive at South Kesteven District Council, was confirmed at a meeting of Full Council today (Thursday 13 April) following a recommendation to appoint her by a cross-party recruitment panel.

She is expected to start her new role in the summer.

Beverly Agass said: “I can’t wait to start this exciting new role in one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Meeting the challenges of continuing to successfully deliver the growth needed while also retaining what makes South Cambridgeshire special is one of the areas  that will be a key focus. The Council has done a great job in meeting these challenges so far and the added dynamic of the Greater Cambridge City Deal and devolution both give us the opportunity to do even more. It has been a great honour to serve the local community as Chief Executive at South Kesteven District Council and it will be likewise in South Cambridgeshire.”

Mrs Agass is a linguistics graduate and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development fellow with a background in organisational design and performance improvement. Beverly worked for the John Lewis Partnership early in her career before joining local government.

Prior to taking up the role of Chief Executive at South Kesteven District Council in 2009, she held a number of local government senior management roles in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

Leading on the strategic vision for the authority, Mrs Agass initiated key programmes to ensure the Council makes the most of opportunities to be inventive, flexible and responsive to local needs.

She also has significant experience of working with councillors and communities developing ambitious growth programmes – enabling new homes and creating new business opportunities by proactively and positively planning for future growth and regeneration.

Cllr Pippa Corney, Chairman of the Employment Panel at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “I am really pleased that councillors at the meeting of Full Council have approved the employment panel’s recommendation to appoint Beverly. She has a wealth of private and public sector experience that will be invaluable in South Cambridgeshire as we work hard to deliver high quality services for our residents. Beverly’s skills and knowledge will help us continue our journey to becoming self-sufficient from government grants and we are all looking forward to her joining us.”