Richmond and Wandsworth councils have begun the search to find a successor following the news that the chief executive for both boroughs is to step-down.

Paul Martin joined Wandsworth Council in 2010, and in 2016, he became the Chief Executive of Richmond Council in an innovative Shared Staffing Arrangement.

Mr Martin said:"It’s been the privilege of my career to be Chief Executive at Wandsworth for the past decade, and also of Richmond since 2016.

"South west London is widely seen as the most attractive part of the capital city in which to live and work, and this is in no small part due to the work of the two councils.

"For the past four years, our shared service has delivered £60 million efficiency savings across the two boroughs, meaning we can provide better social care, cleaner streets and more parks and leisure services than would have otherwise been the case.

"It’s not an easy decision to leave such a fantastic job, but I know in my heart this is the right time for a new Chief Executive to take the two councils into their next phase of growth and development."

Mr Martin is also considered to be one of the most experienced council Chief Executives in the country - having served councils for over 20 years in a career that has taken him to Greater Manchester, the Midlands, East Anglia and London.

He served Sutton Council between 2005 and 2010, Wandsworth Council between 2010 and 2020, and Richmond Council between 2016 and 2020.

Other Councillors also paid tribute to Mr Martin's career.

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Cllr Gareth Roberts who is the Leader of Richmond Council described Mr Martin as being "a steady hand on the tiller as Richmond navigated its way through the early years of the Shared Staffing arrangement with Wandsworth."

And, Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, said that Mr Martin had led an exceptional group of officers to enhance Wandsworth's reputation.

Cllr Govindia also thanked Mr Martin for his decade of service and wished him "every success for the future."

For now Julie Towers who is the Executive Recruiter for Penna, has been appointed to support the councils with the recruitment of the Chief Executive.