New NKDC Chief Executive appointed
Newly appointed Chief Executive Kath Marriott says it was North Kesteven District Council’s reputation as a ‘forward-looking and proactive council’ that drew her to the role.
Kath starts work early in 2025 following the retirement of current Chief Executive Ian Fytche at the end of December. He will have completed almost 19 years as Head of Paid Service, elections returning and registrations officer and many other roles and responsibilities within local government partnerships in North Kesteven, Lincolnshire and across the country.
Kath, who is pictured with NKDC leader Cllr Richard Wright, spent over five years as Chief Executive at Rushcliffe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire, where she has worked since 2008, following an earlier career in publishing and at a town council.
As the authority’s most senior officer, she will work with the leadership team to develop the Council’s strategic objectives and organisational direction and monitor service delivery to ensure it is fulfilling its statutory duties and working for the benefit and enhancement of North Kesteven as a ‘District of Flourishing Communities’.
“I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as the next Chief Executive at North Kesteven District Council and I am thoroughly looking forward to joining the team in the new year,” said Kath.
“The opportunity to join such a forward-looking and proactive council really appealed to me and I am honoured to be following in Ian Fytche’s footsteps to lead the authority in its future challenges, to explore new opportunities, and to build on the excellent services delivered with competence, care and consideration for all residents.
“I am excited to bring my experience in commercial and environmental projects to the authority and to also learn as much as I can from the councillors and staff about the Council and the communities in this beautiful part of the world. In the next few weeks before I join, I will do my best to absorb as much information and knowledge about the district as I can, so that I can get off to a confident start meeting stakeholders and building relationships from the get-go.
“North Kesteven is already an excellent and highly regarded local authority. Working with the Leader, I will ensure that we continue to be at the forefront of innovation both locally and nationally, delivering ongoing excellence for all residents and communities.
Cllr Wright said that in appointing a new Chief Executive, members had sought someone with strong personal commitment to public service, visible leadership and collaborative credentials, sound judgment and clarity, commercial acumen, who advocates for the council’s interests in a wide range of local, regional and national forums, and understands the wider ways of working.
“I am certain that in Kath we have found that person and I very much look forward to sustaining a strong working relationship where we are all focused on building, supporting and enriching a District of Flourishing Communities; and also in involving, innovating and inspiring our wider local government networks for the broader benefit of our local communities.
“It can be no coincidence that under Kath’s leadership Rushcliffe Borough Council was recognised as a leading local authority in last year’s MJ Awards, just as North Kesteven was the year before. There’s clearly a great deal of synergy and shared emphasis on developing and delivering the best possible outcomes for residents, businesses and communities and I am sure that we will welcome Kath’s fresh approach in doing so,” he said.
Kath says particular areas of interest are in contributing to North Kesteven’s ambitions for advancing a carbon net-zero future for the council and the district, supporting the Lafford Homes and Carre Arms Hotel arms-length companies, participating in new opportunities presented through devolution forming Greater Lincolnshire and progressing changes impacting on its role as a social landlord.