A well-known face around Hawke’s Bay has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Hastings District Council.

At its meeting today (Thursday 26 April 2018) Council passed a resolution to appoint Neil Taylor as Acting CEO.

Mr Taylor is well known in the region in his capacity as former Chief Executive at the Napier City Council – a position he held for 20 years.

He has been working at the Hastings District Council since early 2016, assisting Group Managers with special projects in a senior advisory role.

His appointment follows the resignation of Ross McLeod to take up a position in Australia. Mr McLeod will be leaving Council in June.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says there will be a period of time after Ross leaves and before a new Chief Executive starts. “The appointment of Neil Taylor as Acting CEO means we will have a very experienced person who knows local government very well at the helm in the interim.”

Neil will start working alongside Ross McLeod in the coming weeks. Mrs Hazlehurst says “it is very important to our Council that we continue to deliver our priorities and a high level of service without interruption through this period.”

Council is currently working through the process to select a recruitment agency to assist with the CEO recruitment and selection process.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the importance of the recruitment and selection process cannot be underestimated. “The CEO role is critical in our organisation and for our staff.”

ENDS.

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