“Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to experience the career that followed those early days in Cleethorpes.”
Those are the words of outgoing council chief executive Rob Walsh.
He joined North East Lincolnshire Council on 1st January 2014 and has announced he will step down in May 2025 after more than 11 years at the helm.
Following a public service career that has spanned more than three decades, starting when he joined the then Cleethorpes Borough Council as a trainee solicitor, Mr Walsh is taking early retirement.
“The privilege and the responsibility has never been lost on me,”he said.
“There is no greater honour than being chief executive in the place you are proud to call home and where your family has grown.”
During his tenure, Mr Walsh has steered the borough through investment, change, challenge and opportunity.
He oversaw the borough becoming the first area of the country to secure a town deal from central government in 2018 and was also integral to a formation of a unique partnership with the NHS in north east Lincolnshire which saw health care teams integrated with colleagues at the council.
When he leaves next year, the new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, (GLCCA) will come into being.
‘Wonderful people’
During his years as chief executive, Mr Walsh has worked extensively on devolution plans for the region and said he took immense pride in the success he and his peers and colleagues had achieved in securing the deal that was being taken forward.
He paid tribute to the people he has worked with during his time in local government.
“It really has been a pleasure to know and work with so many professional, dedicated and wonderful people over the years,” he said.
“Together we have strived to take our borough forward, fronting up to the challenges and being ambitious about the opportunities.
“I would like to thank every single person who has joined me on this journey over the last decade and I know that journey will continue.”
‘Challenges and opportunities’
Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson paid tribute to Mr Walsh, who he has worked alongside both in opposition and as leader of the authority.
“Rob will leave next year with our heartfelt thanks and sincere best wishes for the future,” Cllr Jackson said.
“For the last decade he has proved to be a chief executive with determination, integrity and a work ethic that has put North East Lincolnshire front and centre on the regional and national stage.
“His personal and professional skills have ensured this borough has attracted an unprecedented level of investment, which has, and will be, significant in overcoming the challenges and grasping the opportunities we face.
“We go forward with optimism on a local and regional level thanks to the leadership that Rob has provided.”
