Interim boss Cath Shaw will be officially appointed at Tuesday’s council meeting

Cath Shaw, chief executive of Barnet Council — New chief executive Cath Shaw (Credit – Barnet Council)

Barnet Council will have a new chief executive next week following the announcement that current interim Cath Shaw is to be appointed to the role.

Shaw had taken on her current interim role in June 2024 following the departure of previous town hall chief John Hooton, having been deputy chief executive for the previous seven years.

Her appointment was recommended by the borough’s employment sub-committee last week and is expected to be ratified by full council at its meeting on Tuesday 4th March.

Shaw will be the first woman to hold the post of chief executive in the borough’s 60-year history.

She said: “It is a huge privilege to be appointed chief executive and I look forward to working with Members, residents, staff and partners to deliver our ambitious vision, Our Plan for Barnet.”

Barnet council leader Barry Rawlings said: “Cath is an inspiring chief executive with an impressive track record of delivering for Barnet’s residents. She has navigated us through some tough financial challenges, identifying £23m of savings this year alone, while remaining committed to making Barnet a better place for people to live, work and study.”

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