Former Falklands boss steps in at Cornwall Council
The interim arrangements were discussed in private at a meeting of the Chief Officers’ Employment Committee on Wednesday
A former chief executive of the Falkland Islands government has been appointed as interim deputy chief executive at Cornwall Council after the current chief executive went on a sudden ‘leave of absence’ last week.
Following a flurry of rumours in the corridors of Lys Kernow (County Hall) in Truro last week when CEO Kate Kennally was nowhere to be seen, the council told us last Friday that she was on a leave of absence and interim leadership arrangements were being put in place.
Since then, those in the know have been tight-lipped about the reasons for her absence. The majority of councillors we have spoken to have not been told why she’s no longer at her desk, with many telling us that the first they knew about it was when they read our story.
The interim arrangements were discussed in private at a meeting of the Chief Officers’ Employment Committee on Wednesday. We understand the process of finding interim leadership was discussed, rather than the reasons for Ms Kennally’s absence.
The new interim deputy chief executive is Andy Keeling who was chief executive of the Falkland Islands government from 2021 to 2025. Mr Keeling previously served as chief operating officer at Leicester City Council from 2008 to 2024. He will take up the Cornwall Council role from Monday.
Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said: “Andy brings a wealth of experience from senior positions in local government and will provide valuable leadership at an important time for the council. We are grateful to him for stepping into the role at such short notice.”
A spokesperson for the council told us last week: “The chief executive is currently on a leave of absence.
“This is an important period for the council, with the upcoming budget and other key priorities to deliver, and so interim leadership arrangements are being put in place.”
Ms Kennally has been the CEO at Cornwall Council since January 11, 2016. She was previously strategic director for commissioning and deputy chief executive at the London Borough of Barnet.
She is the highest earner at Cornwall Council, receiving a base salary of £201,661, rising to £239,479 including pension and expenses, according to data from the TaxPayers’ Alliance Town Hall Rich List 2026.