Simon set to join Cambridgeshire as its new director of policy and communities
Simon Parker is to join Cambridgeshire County Council as its new service director: policy and communities, with a remit to develop and lead on cross cutting council policy and programmes, as well as working to develop and decentralise services, working with partners and residents.
Simon, named as one of the UK’s 100 most influential people in local government by the Local Government Chronicle, is currently the director of transformation and policy capability at the Department for Education.
He has a background as a think tank director and policy maker working with FTSE 250 business leaders, UK Government and numerous local authorities to develop strategy, encourage innovation and transform services, including work in the London Borough of Redbridge where he led on the strategic development of a network of community hubs. He is also a former journalist, and the author of ‘Taking Power Back’, a book on empowering communities.
In this new role, which was created by chief executive Stephen Moir as part of his work to refocus his leadership team, Simon will shape council strategies, as well as the delivery of key public facing services such as libraries, adult skills, community participation and engagement teams.
Commenting upon his appointment, Simon said: “The county council has really ambitious plans to decentralise its services and transform the way it works with communities. Getting this right means working closely with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors, but most importantly with the residents of Cambridgeshire themselves. I'm looking forward to putting people power at the heart of our work.”
Council leader Councillor Lucy Nethsingha said: “Our decentralisation agenda is focussed on developing a more localised approach to all of our services and enhancing how we work with communities.
“Having Simon join us to lead on this key priority – and to help us work even more closely with the people we serve, is great news for both the council and for Cambridgeshire.”
Mr Moir said: “I am delighted that this key leadership role for Cambridgeshire County Council attracted such talented candidates and that we were able to make such a high calibre appointment.
“Simon’s experience, both locally and nationally, will bring a welcome fresh perspective to the development of our strategies and will add pace to our commitment to work more closely with our partners and the people of this county. I am really looking forward to welcoming Simon to the team.”
Simon is due to join the Council in March.
