Stevenage council confirms new CEO appointment
Tom Pike will be Stevenage Borough Council’s next chief executive officer, it has been confirmed. Dr Pike, who is currently the council’s strategic director and deputy CEO, will take over from the retiring Matt Partridge on 14 April.
The plans were confirmed by a unanimous vote at a full council meeting yesterday (Wednesday, 22 January). Dr Pike fought off competition from three other candidates who reached the interview stage for the £145,000 a year role.
He has a PhD in business studies and worked for local authorities in Barnet and Devon before joining Stevenage Borough Council in 2016. After his appointment was approved, Dr Pike said: “Thank you for trusting me as incoming chief executive.
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“There’s always lots of different political views across the chamber, but it’s a privilege to work with a group of [councillors] who are so committed to the town in different ways. I hope […] I’ll be able to continue some of the good work of Matt, who has been a fantastic chief executive and work with you all to do our very best for the community we serve.
“It was a challenging recruitment process. It was like the Crystal Maze, mixed in with Dragon’s Den, finished off with Gladiators - and we’re all glad I wasn’t wearing lycra! Thank you very much, and I look forward to serving you in the new role in a few months' time.”
Earlier, councillors from all three parties represented on the council had paid tribute to both Mr Partridge and Dr Pike. Leader of the Labour-run council, Cllr Richard Henry, said: “Tom brings a wealth of experience and skills to this role.
“He has over 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions within both the public and the private sectors. Dr Pike has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, operational excellence and a profound commitment to public service. His expertise in organisational transformation, stakeholder engagement and electoral processes positions him as an excellent candidate to lead us forward”.
Cllr Henry thanked Mr Partridge for his “dedication and outstanding service” and said he had been an “exemplary” CEO since taking on the role in 2018. Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, Cllr Stephen Booth, said Mr Partridge had been a “fantastic” CEO and added: “If Tom follows in your footsteps, I’m sure we’re in good hands.”
The sole Conservative, Cllr Phil Bibby, also praised Mr Partridge’s leadership and joked that he had been a “support and help” to the Conservative group “when I had a group”.
Cllr Bibby continued: “I would have been extremely shocked and surprised if anyone else had got that job [after Mr Partridge] because I think it would have taken a superman or a superwoman to beat Tom. He’s blossomed [as a strategic director] and I know he’ll be a superb replacement and keep the governance of Stevenage Borough Council alive.”
Matt Partridge, outgoing CEO, said: “Tom has been an exceptional deputy chief executive during my tenure as chief exec since 2019.
“I wish him all the very best as he now takes a step up to the top job. I have no doubt that he will do himself, the council and the town proud.”