SOUTHEND Council have approved the appointment of their first female chief executive.

At tonight’s full council meeting, members gave their approval to appoint Alison Griffin as the chief executive and town clerk.

The recommendation was made by the Appointment and Disciplinary Committee last week after a national recruitment and selection process that was started after Rob Tinlin announced that he would be retiring at the end of March 2017.

Ms Griffin is currently Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the London Borough of Bexley, having previously been Assistant Director for Communities at the London Borough of Camden from May 2010 to August 2013 and then Deputy Director of Finance at the same authority until September 2014. 

Ms Griffin said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Chief Executive and Town Clerk of Southend Council, and to receive approval from Full Council.

“I am very excited about the challenge of taking the Council on the next stage of its journey and am looking forward to meeting all of the staff, councillors, partners, local residents and businesses when I start later in the year.”

John Lamb, Leader of the Council, said: “I am very pleased that Alison has been approved by Full Council as the new Chief Executive and Town Clerk.

“Everyone who met her through the recruitment process was impressed by her energy, passion, intellect and ideas and I am sure that she will be a positive force for the local area.”

Acting up arrangements will be shared between the two Deputy Chief Executives and will be in place from April 1 until the new Chief Executive takes up her post. 

A start date will be agreed following Full Council.