Shropshire Council's CEO to leave authority after 12 years

In an email to all council staff this afternoon (Friday), Shropshire Council announced Mr Begley will be leaving the local authority.

He became chief executive in August 2020, having held the post on a shared interim basis through the early stages of the Covid pandemic.

In the email, seen by the Shropshire Star, council leader Heather Kidd said: "He led the council through those unprecedented times whilst also facing and meeting enormous challenges in transforming the council to enable it to continue to deliver essential services to our residents. 

"I have thanked Andy for his dedicated service to Shropshire over that period."

Shropshire Council's executive director Tanya Miles will lead the organisation in the interim, while Councillor Kidd said bosses will "move swiftly" to appoint a new CEO who "shares our ambitions for Shropshire".

“Transitions like this can be challenging, but they also offer us a moment to reflect and refocus," Councillor Kidd added.

A statement from Mr Begley said: “Leading an organisation of this size and complexity through such challenging periods has been difficult but also a privilege and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved together. 

"I would like to thank all the staff for their continuing dedication and hard work, and wish the organisation every success for the future.”

Councillor Kidd added: “I fully respect and support Andy’s decision which I know has been a very difficult one for him to make.

“Andy has shown strong leadership and direction at what have been, and continue to be, very difficult times for the council.

“Personally, and on behalf of the council I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Andy for his dedication to Shropshire and I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”