Buckinghamshire Council has begun advertising for a new chief executive, after confirming its incumbent will leave later this year.
The authority has launched the search following the announcement that Rachael Shimmin OBE will step down to take up a new opportunity.
Ms Shimmin first joined the authority in 2016 as chief executive of Buckinghamshire County Council.
She went on to play a central role in overseeing the unitarisation of five legacy councils, which were brought together to form Buckinghamshire Council in 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. She has served as chief executive of the unitary authority since its creation.
While the job advertisement for the new role does not specify a salary, council records show Ms Shimmin was paid £240,000 a year.
Council leader Steven Broadbent described the position as “career-defining” and said the successful candidate would be joining the authority at an important point in its development.
He said: “I’m keen to meet people with a broad and nuanced grasp of public service and local government, but who also have a lively interest in new ideas and approaches, wherever they’re found
“Candidates will be pragmatic and solutions-focused, with strong financial and commercial acumen.
“Complete personal and professional integrity go without saying, and you’ll take a thoroughly empirical, evidence-led approach to strategic matters.
“I’m looking for someone with whom I can build a constructive, respectful and honest working relationship, and who is totally committed to being best-in-class.”
The role is being offered on a permanent, full-time basis and will require an Enhanced DBS check. Applications close on 18 January 2026, with interviews scheduled to take place on 12 February 2026.
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