The Government has today announced the appointment of Sharon Kemp, Chief Executive of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, as Commissioner for Transformation for Nottingham City Council.
Working alongside Tony McArdle as Lead Commissioner and Margaret Lee as Finance Commissioner, she will play a pivotal role in overseeing the council’s improvement activities, with a focus on reshaping frontline services and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the council.
The Commissioners have been granted extensive powers and will oversee the full range of the council’s improvement activities.
Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, reiterated the council’s commitment to working with the Commissioners, stating: “We are committed to collaborating with the Commissioners to address Nottingham’s current challenges and drive forward our improvement agenda as quickly as possible.”
Mel Barrett, the council’s Chief Executive, emphasised the importance of Sharon Kemp’s appointment in accelerating the council’s transformation efforts. He said: “The expertise and insight Sharon Kemp brings will be invaluable as we continue our journey of reshaping the organisation and delivering essential services for Nottingham residents within the financial resources available to us.” Click here for more information about Nottingham City Council Commissioners.
Biography:
Sharon Kemp is Chief Executive of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. She was appointed by Government Commissioners and Rotherham Council in 2016 to lead improvements which saw powers returned to the council after intervention and a ‘Good’ Ofsted rated children and young people’s services since 2018.
Since Sharon became Rotherham Chief Executive, the council has been on a journey of continuous improvement. This progress has been recognised externally, with a recent LGA Corporate Peer Challenge in 2023 stating the council ‘serves the town well and is today an impressive organisation. It is ambitious and has well-established and robust foundations’.
The council was also awarded the Most Improved Council Award at the LGC Awards in 2022, where judges unanimously agreed that ‘from a rock bottom position it is possible to rebuild the trust of the community through understanding, courage, and openness’.
Dedicated to serving people and places, Sharon has worked in the public sector for more than years across community safety, neighbourhood management, community cohesion, performance, and partnerships. Sharon also has an Honours Degree in Public Administration.
Starting her career with Greater Manchester Police, her career includes six years in Blackburn and Darwen, working in the Regeneration Department and two years at the London Borough of Haringey as Assistant Chief Executive. Prior to Rotherham, Sharon was Assistant Chief Executive for People and Strategic Director (Reform) at Manchester City Council from 2009 to 2016.