Wrexham Council’s Chief Executive Dr Helen Paterson To Move To Walsall Council

Dr Helen Paterson, Wrexham Council’s Chief Executive, has announced she has been offered the position of Chief Executive with Walsall Council.

Wrexham Council have announced the news this afternoon, saying: “Helen joined Wrexham Council from Sunderland in 2011 and has been at the helm of the Council during some of the most financially challenging times in local government. Her priorities of growing strong communities whilst reframing the Council’s relationship with the public and local economy are at the heart of the council’s planning processes and are entrenched in its Council Plan.”

Speaking about the offer of the top spot at Walsall Council, Helen, said: “Whilst I am clearly delighted to have been offered this position I will nevertheless be very sad to leave Wrexham which has been my home and place of work for the past 6 years.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Wrexham during this time. My new appointment is expected to begin in the autumn and there’s lots to be getting on with until that time. I will continue to serve Wrexham as I have always done until my very last day with this authority.”

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, has said: “I am extremely pleased for Helen and wish her all the very best in her future role in Walsall. Helen has always worked with tireless commitment to Wrexham and its residents during her time with us. Her work here has seen us through some very challenging financial times and we have been very fortunate to have such an able and talented individual at the head of our authority.

“I know Helen will continue to work with me to ensure a smooth transition for her expected departure date in the autumn.”

Walsall’s Chief Executive Paul Sheehan is due to retire towards the end of the year, after being at that local authority for nine years.

In this Walsall Council document it indicates the Chief Executive there gets pay of £196,214 a year. Wrexham Council however pay in the range of £109,000 to £125,000 for the same role – meaning if the wages remain in similar ballparks a 50% pay rise could be on the cards.

Wrexham Council will now be starting a hunt for a new Chief Executive.