West Northamptonshire Council Chief Executive is stepping down
Anna Earnshaw has announced she will leave her role later this year
Last updated 15th Aug 2025
West Northamptonshire Council’s Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, has announced she will leave her role later this year after four years at the helm of the unitary authority.
Council leader Cllr Mark Arnull paid tribute to her as “one of a kind” in local government, praising her dedication and significant achievements for public services and communities.
Anna, whose career in local government spans 37 years across public and private sector roles, intends to pursue new opportunities within the sector and spend more time with her family.
She was appointed as the first Chief Executive of WNC in 2021, steering the council through its creation during major local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire and the challenges of the countywide Covid-19 response.
During her tenure, the council delivered more than £115 million in savings while introducing a range of service improvements. A recent independent peer review described the young unitary as having made a “strong positive start” with a “tangible upbeat energy” and a positive organisational culture.
Reflecting on her decision, Anna said: “It has been an absolute privilege serving West Northamptonshire’s communities and I’m extremely proud of everything we have achieved together. When we embarked on our journey as a new unitary council four years ago it really was a fresh start for everyone, and a chance to do public services differently and better across our area.
"Having made my decision to leave on a personal level some time ago, it was important for me to support our new administration through their first months in office. In the coming months I will work closely with them as they shape the council’s future priorities and budget proposals and prepare transitional arrangements.”
Cllr Arnull added: “Anna really is one of a kind in local government and an excellent, dedicated public servant who has achieved so much for services and residents in West Northants and will be greatly missed. She leaves a strong legacy of a young and ambitious council with firm foundations and a positive culture.”
Before becoming Chief Executive, Anna joined Northamptonshire County Council in 2016, initially working with health services before serving as Director of Adult Social Services and later Deputy Chief Executive.
She played a key role in stabilising the council’s finances, delivering £40 million of savings in adult social care, and leading the county’s Covid-19 response.
She is also a board member of the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), working to integrate health and social care and spearheading initiatives such as the nationally acclaimed ageing well programme.