The “transformation” of Herefordshire Council’s senior management team under chief executive Paul Walker is near completion with four new appointments.

  • Mark Purvis becomes director of transformation. His appointment to this new role will be “for a temporary period of 18-24 months” and “will lead council-wide transformation and leave the council with modern and efficient ways of working”, according to a decision on the role agreed by the council’s employment panel.
  • David Ubaka becomes delivery director for transport strategy. The council created this role as part of a £1.24 million package to progress its transport strategy for Hereford, agreed last June.
  • Matthew Pearce is named as director of public health, replacing acting director Rebecca Howell Jones.
  • Ross Cook becomes corporate director for economy and environment, taking over from interim director Neil Taylor.
  • Darryl Freeman had been previously announced as corporate director for children and young people.
  • The corporate director for community wellbeing is currently being re-advertised.

The appointments form part of the “One Council” programme pursued by Mr Walker, who took over last May.

“These complete the senior management restructure and will mean we can deliver further improvements across the organisation quickly and effectively,” Mr Walker said.

He explained last October that the new management structure would mean a shift to “effective corporate leadership with a renewed council-wide focus, rather than working in silos”.

The council's employment panel earlier this month recommended holding senior officials' salaries at the same rates for another year.