Scene setting Mr Speaker, Honourable Members. Whilst it has only been a year since I last delivered my Annual Address, it seems a very long time ago, not.
Leicester City Council is set to appoint its long serving director of finance as its new chief operating officer when the current post holder leaves to become chief executive of the Falkland Islands Government next month.
Alison Greenhill, who joined the council as a trainee accountant 35 years ago, will take over from Andy Keeling who is leaving for the British overseas territory after 13 years as COO.
The role incorporates head of paid service responsibilities and is the most senior officer role at Leicester.
During her time at the council, Ms Greenhill, who has been director of finance since 2012, was involved in the city’s bid for unitary status in 1997 and more recently led the set up of Leicester’s local Covid contact tracing service, one of the first in the country.