Leadership team

The Executive Management Team (EMT) comprises of:

Chief Executive, Kate Ryan
Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Governance, Grainne O'Rourke
Strategic Director of Corporate Resources, S151 and Transformation, Alan Bethune
Strategic Director of Place, Operations, and Sustainability, James Carpenter

It works to maximise the capacity and effectiveness of the council in delivering the council's corporate plan.

The Executive Management Team is the main interface between the Cabinet and the officers employed to serve the organisation and the community.

It ensures that all service areas of the council are working together in meeting the objectives set, whilst serving the people of the New Forest.

The Executive Management Team (EMT) has collective responsibility for:

serving 176,262 (Census 2021) residents
running a net revenue budget of £22 million (£14 million funded from Council Tax)
a Housing Revenue Account with income from Council House Tenants of £30 million
a staff of over 700 people

EMT has ultimate responsibility for leading an organisation that co-ordinates and delivers a diverse range of services, many of which are delivered in partnership with other public sector bodies, the third sector, and with the help of the local community.

Leadership team structure

Our management structure consists of our Chief Executive and Strategic Directors supported by leads in the following areas:

Kate Ryan, Chief Executive

Responsible for

Grainne O'Rourke, Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Governance
Alan Bethune, Strategic Director of Corporate Resources, S151 and Transformation
James Carpenter, Strategic Director of Place, Operations, and Sustainability
Sara Hamilton, Corporate Communications

Grainne O'Rourke, Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Governance

Responsible for:

Richard Knott, Assistant Director Housing
Brian Byrne, Estates Management, CCTV, Community Safety and Community Alarms
Ritchie Thomson, Housing Maintenance
Matt Wisdom, Democratic Services
Tim Davis, Housing Strategy and Development
Joanne McClay, Environmental and Regulation
Vacant post, Housing Options, Rents, Support and Private Sector Housing

Alan Bethune, Strategic Director Corporate Resources, S151 and Transformation

Responsible for:

Rebecca Drummond, Assistant Director Transformation
Ryan Stevens, Revenue and Benefits
Heleana Aylett, Human Resources
Andrew Smith, Estates and Valuation
Kevin Green, Finance
Rich Bird, Data, Development and Delivery
Kim Gray, ICT Operations Manager
Vacant post, Elections and Business Improvement

James Carpenter, Strategic Director of Place, Operations, and Sustainability

Responsible for:

Chris Noble, Assistant Director Place Operations
Steve Cook, Coastal
David Hurd - Environment Enforcement and Amenities
Iain Park - Grounds and Streetscene
Vacant post, Waste and Transport

Vacant Post, Assistant Director Place Development
David Norris, Development Management
Tim Guymer, Policy and Strategy
Nick Ford, Building Control
Vacant post, Economic Development

Roxanne King - Climate Change and Sustainability