The chief executive of Adur and Worthing councils has resigned to take charge of another local authority.
Adur and Worthing councils said: “Catherine Howe is to step down as chief executive of Adur and Worthing councils in July to take up the equivalent role at Dorset Council.
“Dr Howe joined the councils in June 2020 as director for communities before becoming interim chief executive the following year and then chief executive in October 2021.”
She said: “I feel both excited and very privileged to have the chance to be part of where Dorset Council goes next.
“With an ambitious council plan and all the ingredients needed to deliver it, I can’t wait to get started.”
Councillor Jeremy Gardner, the leader of Adur District Council, and Councillor Sophie Cox, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “We want to express our sincere thanks to Catherine for her leadership and vision steering the organisations through a period of significant change and difficult financial challenges.
“We wish Catherine every success in her new chapter. Interim arrangements will be put in place to ensure continuity and stability and our priorities remain unchanged as we continue to serve our residents through the times ahead.”
Catherine Howe, 53, became a doctor of philosophy in social policy in 2014 after six years of study at Sussex University.
She worked at the London Business School in the 1990s before spending almost 13 years at Public-i Group, a live-streaming firm based in Hove. She spent her final five years there as chief executive.
She went on to become the digital innovation director at Capita and director of design, delivery and change at Cancer Research UK before joining Adur and Worthing councils.
Her voluntary roles have included serving as a governor at the Portslade Aldridge community Academy (PACA).
