Town of Claremont: executive manager to step in as interim chief executive in July

TOWN of Claremont executive manager Liz Ledger will take over from chief executive Stephen Goode in July next year.

Mr Goode will vacate the seat after more than seven years with the Town, leaving the People and Places executive manager to take the reins for a year, before the position is formally advertised.

Mayor Jock Barker said the council had decided to invite internal applicants allowing a successful existing staff member to prove themself in the position before having to compete with external applicants.

Mr Barker said council believed transitioning from Mr Goode to an internal candidate was the best opportunity to continue the high quality teamwork among the Town’s staff.

“By making this decision now we are sending a signal of respect and confidence in our staff,” he said.

“It also provides time for a transition between Stephen and Liz, during which time he will be providing guidance and helping her prepare for the new challenge.”

Mrs Ledger, who started with the Town as executive manager in 2013, said she was very excited by the opportunity to prove herself in the position and looked forward to the challenge of making a contribution in the new role.

Mr Goode initially filled the chief executive position for three months in 2009 and “things conspired to make me stay”.

“I am very glad I did. I do feel a part of Claremont and that makes it harder to leave, but I have given it my best shot and now it’s time for something new,” he said.