Chief Exec of Herefordshire Council to step down
Paul Walker has been in the job since 2021
The Chief Executive of Herefordshire will leave the role in March 2026.
Paul Walker has been in the job since May 2021.
Earlier this week, the council warned it faced a £27.3m budget shortfall in the next financial year.
Paul began his 43-year career in local government and public service as a trainee lifeguard, and then went on to hold senior roles across a range of services, including Executive Director at Blackpool Council, Chief Executive at Copeland Borough Council, Executive Consultant at Rossendale Council and Corporate Director at the London Borough of Harrow.
Paul Walker, who joined Herefordshire in May 2021, said: "After 43 years in public service, and a good deal of thought and consideration over the summer, I have decided to step down as Chief Executive.
"My decision to step down has been an incredibly difficult one to make, especially given the progress we have made as a council.
"There is no great time to announce leaving as chief executive, but doing so in the week we were formally recognised by our peers as a 'good' council with 'strong leadership' and a firm financial base, shows I am leaving the council in a strong place, albeit with some big challenges ahead.”
Council Leader, Jonathan Lester, said: "I am incredibly grateful to Paul for his outstanding and distinguished service to the people of Herefordshire. He joined in 2021, at a challenging time for the council, and has worked tirelessly—supporting different administrations—to bring about significant changes and improvements.
"In particular, Paul has been instrumental in overseeing improvements in children’s services, recently recognised by Ofsted and the Children’s Commissioner, and in strengthening our financial management, while delivering better value for money for taxpayers.
"He has also played a key role in preparing for strategic capital projects and driving forward the council’s ‘year of delivery’—a focused effort to enhance the county’s infrastructure, cultural assets and prospects for growth and investment.
"Under his tenure as chief executive, the council has gone from strength to strength, and on behalf of the entire Cabinet, I wish him all the best for his next chapter. In the meantime, I will continue to be working closely with Paul as we navigate a challenging six months."