Duncan Sharkey, Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, is to take up a new role at a new council.
Duncan was recommended by the Appointments Committee at Somerset County Council to be the new Chief Executive. The recommendation was approved at Full Council, in Somerset, on Wednesday.
Duncan will lead the administration of the new unitary Somerset Council, from April next year, which is being created following the merger of Somerset County Council and four district councils.
Duncan has been at the council for nearly four years and has delivered change across the organisation and Borough.
He said: “I am very sad to leave Windsor and Maidenhead. I have had the pleasure of working with so many great people and have been given the opportunity to deliver major change as well as some projects that have changed the way we deliver services to our residents.
“The new role is an exciting challenge as this is to help build a new council that will continue, develop and enhance the work of the five existing councils. There has been a huge amount of work taking place already to ensure that services are ready for vesting day, and I forward to working with new colleagues and partners from the autumn.
“I know I am leaving the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead in a much stronger place, as was confirmed by the recent Peer Review, and I wish my colleagues, the council and its partners every success for the future.”
Councillor Andrew Johnson, Leader of the Council, said: “Duncan has been a fantastic leader for our staff and he has worked extremely hard to ensure that the council was transformed with a more trusting, open and transparent culture.
“We will be sad to see Duncan leave but I know that this is a challenge that he will relish and be extremely successful in. I wish him all the best for the future.”
The recruitment process for a new Chief Executive will begin in due course.