Liverpool City Council has announced the appointment of Andrew Lewis as its new chief executive.
It comes six months after Tony Reeves resigned from the post and continues a period of major reorganisation which was triggered when he reported concerns about council property transactions to police, prompting an investigation and the subsequent government-commissioned review of the council.
Two key property-related appointments have been announced in recent days: Sophie Bevan as the council’s new director of development and major projects and Nuala Gallagher director for city development.
Lewis, 53, joins the local authority from Cheshire West and Chester Council, where he has been chief executive since 2018.
Cheshire West and Chester, recognised as one of the country’s most effective councils, is a partner with Liverpool on issues such as transport, low-carbon industry and health integration.
Prior to his current role, Lewis was the first managing director of the Tees Valley Combined Authority from 2016-2018. He was assistant chief executive at Newcastle Council from 2010.
Before moving into local government, Lewis worked as a senior economic advisor at the Treasury, working on employment, tax and international policy. He was seconded as deputy regional director of the government office for the North East and led the Northern Way partnership to promote economic growth across the North.
He will take up the post early in the summer.
Mayor Joanne Anderson said: “Andrew Lewis has a strong track record working across all areas of local, regional and national government throughout his career.
“He has a clear vision to deliver on our ambition of transformed public services, with residents at the heart of our decision-making.
“This is a key moment in our improvement journey, building on the progress we have made over the past 18 months.”
Lewis said: “Liverpool City Council is at an important staging post in its journey of improvement, and I’m proud to take on this responsibility to support the council and the city at this critical time.”
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