Staffordshire County Council’s Chief Executive is to step down after almost eight years in the role.
John Henderson joined the council in May 2015 and led the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic. And as head of the authority’s paid service, he has overseen considerable changes in local government funding and operations in that time.
He has agreed to remain in post until the arrival of a successor.
Alan White, the Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “Through John’s calm and confident leadership, not least through the pandemic, the county council has remained absolutely focused on making a difference for people and businesses in Staffordshire.
“He will be a big loss to Staffordshire, but I am hugely grateful that John has agreed to remain in post until his successor arrives.”
Prior to his arrival in Staffordshire, he had a distinguished career in the British Army. His last appointment was as a Major General commanding the British Forces in Germany. John was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2014 New Year Honours.
He said: “It has been the greatest privilege to lead the officers and staff of Staffordshire County Council for the past eight years.
“Working for our residents to improve the quality of the services which we provide for them has been challenging and rewarding, never more so than during the Covid pandemic, when I drew inspiration from so many colleagues’ efforts.”
John grew up in Perth, before studying Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University. He has also studied at the Joint Services Staff College, the Royal College of Defence Studies, and at Cranfield University.
His military service has been mostly overseas in support services leadership roles: over 15 years in Germany, and in Belgium, the United States and the UK. He commanded four times on operations: in Bosnia; in Iraq; and twice in Afghanistan.
John is also a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, a keen linguist and retains a non-executive role in the Army.
