Dacorum appoints new Chief Executive

Dacorum Borough Council has announced the appointment of Claire Hamilton as its new Chief Executive. Claire will take up her role later this year.

Current Chief Executive, Sally Marshall, will retire from her post at the end of October 2020, after 35 years of local government service. Sally originally joined Dacorum Borough Council in 2008 to take up the role of Corporate Director for Finance and Governance. In November 2013 Sally became the first female Chief Executive, and has successfully led the Council through a decade of unprecedented change.

Cllr Andrew Williams, Leader of the Council said: ‘Claire brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in housing, regeneration and economic development to Dacorum. This experience gained from senior roles in a number of local authorities will be a real benefit to Dacorum, and help shape our response to the Covid-19 recovery phase, and implementation of the Corporate Plan 2020-2025. I look forward to working with Claire as we take forward our ambitious plans to deliver for our residents, businesses and our communities.’

Claire was one of six candidates, shortlisted from 33 high calibre applicants. Candidates were put through a process of technical assessments, stakeholder sessions and a rigorous process of panel, committee and one-to-one interviews.

Claire said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen to work with Dacorum Borough Council, and its partners, residents and businesses to ensure the very best outcomes for local communities. We are living through unprecedented times and local government is facing significant challenges as well as opportunities. I am looking forward to joining the Council in the autumn to support the Leader, Councillors and staff to continue to deliver excellent services and to help shape and regenerate Dacorum for the future.’

Biography: Claire Hamilton

Claire Hamilton has over 25 years’ experience of working in the public sector; leading high performing teams and developing positive partnerships to deliver complex regeneration initiatives.

She is currently Director of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town which is an exciting regeneration project, building on the heritage of Harlow to deliver 23,000 high quality homes, 9,000 employment opportunities and sustainable travel infrastructure within the area.

Claire has a background in housing development, estate regeneration and town centre regeneration and economic development. She has previously worked at Basildon Council and the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Ealing.

She is passionate about achieving the very highest standards of public sector excellence for the communities in which she works.