Cheshire East Council’s new chief executive

Cheshire East Council has appointed Lorraine O’Donnell as chief executive, which comes with a salary of £150,000 a year.  

Lorraine O’Donnell has in excess of 25 years’ experience working in local authorities. Her most recent position was director of transformation and partnerships at Durham County Council where she helped lead the council through Local Government Reorganisation and on to become council of the year in 2014. 

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I would like to welcome Lorraine to Cheshire East Council and look forward to welcoming her to our beautiful borough. Lorraine brings valuable experience, skills and new perspectives that will help us to transform the council and continue to deliver for our residents. We have an ambitious programme ahead to improve the environment, economy, health outcomes and opportunities for everyone in Cheshire East and I am sure that Lorraine will help us in delivering that.” 

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, said: “Cheshire East, as a borough and as a council, has enormous potential and I look forward to working with Lorraine to achieve that potential. Lorraine will play a vital role in leading the council’s staff and in building on our relationships with key partners in business, health and other public services. We have a high-performing economy and want to ensure we have a high-performing council to match.” 

Lorraine said: “I am delighted to be joining Cheshire East Council as chief executive. This is a really exciting time to be joining the council and I am looking forward to working with elected members, staff and partners to serve residents and communities.” 

Lorraine O’Donnell will start work at the council on 30 March. 

The council has appointed Frank Jordan, its executive director for place and deputy chief executive, as acting chief executive to cover the period following Kath O’Dwyer’s departure from the council, from 9 March until 29 March.