Vic set to take the helm as Wychavon council chief - The Evesham Observer

Vic set to take the helm as Wychavon council chief

Evesham Editorial 8th May, 2020   0

VIC Allison has been confirmed as the new Chief Executive of Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council.

Mr Allison, who is currently Deputy Managing Director of Wychavon, was confirmed in the role at a virtual meeting of Malvern Hills District Council on Wednesday (May 6). Wychavon councillors had already agreed the appointment at a meeting in March.

Mr Allison will begin his new role on August 1, taking over the reins from Jack Hegarty who is retiring after 35 years of service in local government.

A former retained firefighter in Worcestershire, Mr Allison began his career in local government as a trainee account with Stratford-upon-Avon District Council in the late 1980s. He moved to Leicester City Council in 1993 where he was Senior Accountant and then Group Accountant.




After a brief return to Stratford, he spent eight years at West Oxfordshire District Council as Head of Corporate Finance, Director of Finance and finally Strategic Director (Resources). Mr Allison joined Wychavon in 2006 as Head of Resources and Deputy Managing Director.

Mr Allison was awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to local government and the communities of Worcestershire, including leading the district’s response to the devastating floods of July 2007.


Mr Allison said: “It is a great honour to be appointed Chief Executive of both councils and I will work hard to repay the trust members have placed in me.

“The immediate challenge is to continue to respond and adapt to the coronavirus pandemic but both councils have ambitious corporate plans for the future. Delivering these over the next few years will be an important part of helping our communities recover.”

Members of both councils also agreed to maintain the existing shared senior management structure. This means Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils will continue to have their own Deputy Chief Executive. The process to find someone to take over Mr Allison’s previous role has started.

In a joint statement, Coun Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council and Coun Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re delighted to confirm Vic Allison as our new Chief Executive. His record speaks for itself and his detailed knowledge of both councils means we will be able to minimise disruption at this vital time when we are still responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

“He also has a lot of experience in delivering ambitious corporate projects and helping communities recover from disasters and that will be crucial as we look to the future and how we will strengthen and reshape our districts.

“The shared senior management arrangement between both councils is working well. Not only does it save £500,000 a year but it also supports effective and efficient joint working between both councils.”

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