Leadership team

The Executive Management Team (EMT) comprises of:

• Chief Executive, Kate Ryan
• Strategic Director of Housing, Communities, Richard Knott
• 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

• Alan Bethune, Strategic Director of Corporate Resources, S151 and Transformation
• James Carpenter, Strategic Director of Place, Operations, and Sustainability
• Richard Knott, Strategic Director of Housing and Communities

Richard Knott, Strategic Director of Housing and Communities

 Responsible for:

• Paul Thomas, Assistant Director Housing
• Brian Byrne, Service Manager, Community Safety and Support
• Ritchie Thomson, Service Manager, Housing Major Projects
• Tim Davis, Service Manager, Housing Strategy and Development
• Joanne McClay, Service Manager, Environmental and Regulation
• Chris Pope, Service Manager, Housing Options, Rents, Support and Private Sector Housing
• Sophie Tuffin, Service Manager, Housing Maintenance Programmes and Servicing
• Kirsty Farmer, Service Manager, Housing Resident Services

Alan Bethune, Strategic Director Corporate Resources, S151 and Transformation

Responsible for:

• Rebecca Drummond, Assistant Director Transformation
• Tanya Coulter, Assistant Director Governance and Monitoring Officer 
• Paul Whittles, Assistant Director Finance
• Ryan Stevens, Service Manager, Revenue and Benefits 
• Heleana Aylett, Service Manager, Human Resources
• Andrew Mills, Service Manager, Estates and Valuation
• Kevin Green, Service Manager, Finance
• Josie West, Strategic Procurement Manager
• Amanda Wilson, Information, Governance and Complaints Manager
• Matt Wisdom, Democratic Services Manager
• Rich Bird, Data, Development and Delivery Manager
• Kim Gray, ICT Operations Manager
• Debbie Everett, Electoral Services Manager

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

Responsible for:

• Chris Noble, Assistant Director - Place Operations 
• Tim Guymer, Acting Assistant Director - Place Development  
• Iain Park - Grounds and Streetscene Manager
• David Hurd - Environment, Enforcement and Amenities Manager
• Steve Cook, Service Manager, Coastal 
• Liz Mockeridge, Service Manager, Waste Operations 
• Mark Wyatt,  Service Manager, Development Management  
• Nick Ford, Building Control Manager
• Karyn Punchard, Waste Programme Director 
• Clive Tritton, Strategic Regeneration Advisor (Interim) 
• Roxanne King - Climate and Sustainability  Manager
• Sally Igra - Deputy Economic Development Team Leader 

Salary information regarding the job titles listed above is available, New Forest District Council Pay Policy Statement - Financial year 2024-25