Chief executive of Rutland County Council Helen Briggs to retire in July

The chief executive of Rutland County Council has today confirmed when she will retire from office.

Helen Briggs will step down in July, having announced earlier this year her intention to retire after more than 13 years in the role.

She had withdrawn her resignation in March to enable her to support the running of the county until there was greater clarity over the Covid-19 situation.

With lockdown measures being eased, and plans for recovery being put in place, Helen believes now is the time to continue with her retirement plans.

Mark Andrews, deputy chief executive, will step up as interim chief executive, subject to full council approval.

Oliver Hemsley, leader of Rutland County Council, said: “I am grateful to Helen for postponing her retirement to support Rutland with implementing such a strong response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Helen has, throughout her career, and particularly in this situation, shown unwavering commitment to Rutland.

“Sadly, Rutland has not been left unscathed by this pandemic.

"But Helen’s strong leadership, supported by the skills and dedication of all the council’s team enabled us to act swiftly and put in place measures that have supported and protected the most vulnerable members of our community, while maintaining continuity of many of the council’s services.

“We are now heading into a new phase of the Covid-19 situation, which has been referred to many nationally as the “new normal”.

"We need to understand and adjust to a new way of doing things and have asked Mark Andrews to act as interim chief executive - subject to full council approval - as it is vital that this stage that the council is led by someone who knows Rutland well and has a strong and established relationship with the staff team.”

Mark Andrews joined Rutland County Council in January 2015 from Nottingham City Council. He has been lead director for adult social care and strategic director for the people.

Since joining the authority he has made a positive impact on the delivery of children and adult social care services, helping Rutland to become number one in the country for adult social care.