New Lancaster City Council chief executive named

Susan Parsonage will take up the role in July following the retirement of the council’s current chief executive, Mark Cullinan.

She was appointed by full council on Wednesday evening after being picked by a special recruitment task force made up of city councillors.

Susan said: “I am delighted to have been selected for the role of chief executive at Lancaster City Council.

“I am looking forward to working with all the staff, elected members and partners to achieve our joint ambitions.”

Coun Eileen Blamire, leader of Lancaster City Council and chairman of the chief executive recruitment committee, said: “We were looking for someone with the passion to serve the community and lead our workforce through some of the toughest times ever seen by local government, whilst also bringing innovation and entrepreneurial ideas to the council.”

Susan, 50, is currently employed by the London Borough of Ealing as the Director of Safer Communities and Housing. She has worked at Ealing Council since 2000 and in local government since 1998 when she worked for Chester City Council.

Susan is also a non-executive director of Catalyst Housing Association and is chairman of the board of the Hyelm Housing Association. She has an honours degree in law and an Master in Philosophy.