Southampton City Council set to appoint new Chief Executive 

Southampton City Council’s Chief Officer Employment Panel has recommended that Jillian Kay be appointed as the council’s new permanent Chief Executive, subject to the approval of Full Council this Wednesday.

Jillian is currently the Corporate Director of Wellbeing at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council where she has transformed services to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents as well as being responsible for a wide range of services including adult social care, public health, housing needs and homelessness.

In addition to her local government experience, Jillian has previously held senior roles in national government including at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as Director of Local Government Policy and later Director of Resilience and Recovery where she led the Government’s Grenfell recovery programme.

The appointment has been recommended by the council’s cross-party Chief Officer Employment Panel following a multi-stage recruitment process. If confirmed by Full Council on Wednesday, Jillian will take over from the current Interim Chief Executive, Andrew Travers, in the Spring.

The appointment comes at an important time for Southampton as it prepares to set a balanced budget for the 2025-26 financial year and continues to deliver its ambitious transformation programme to reduce costs and improve services for local people.

Leader of the Council and Chair of the Chief Officer Employment Panel, Councillor Lorna Fielker said: 

“I am delighted to recommend Jillian for the role of Chief Executive, subject to confirmation at Full Council. Southampton has made major progress in recent months and is at a pivotal point in our transformation journey. Jillian’s wealth of strategic leadership experience in both local and national government will be a great asset to the council and our drive to modernise services, improve the lives of local people and grasp the opportunities of the government’s devolution and reform agenda.”

Interim Chief Executive, Andrew Travers added:  

“Jillian is absolutely the right choice for Southampton. During this time of transformation for the incredible city of Southampton, I can pass the baton to her with confidence in her ability to lead with resilience and a clear sense of strategic direction and purpose.” 

Jillian Kay said:  

“I’m delighted to be recommended to Full Council as Southampton City’s Council’s Chief Executive at this pivotal moment for the city. Southampton has a rich history, vibrant culture and bright future and I can’t wait to get started. I had the opportunity through the recruitment process to meet members, partners and colleagues and I have been impressed with their dedication and shared commitment to Southampton. I look forward to working with our council team and partners in delivering transformation and realising the city’s potential.”