Charlie Adan leaves Kingston Council following change in administration

Charlie Adan, one of a handful of legally-qualified chief executives in local government, has quit the role at the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames following a change in administration.

Adan, who left the post on Friday (30 June), had been chief executive at Kingston for two years. Before that she was chief executive of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils. 

Kingston said the current Deputy Chief Executive at the council, Roy Thompson, would become interim chief executive following Adan’s departure for up to 12 months or until a permanent CEO is appointed.  

The council said the Deputy Chief Executive position would remain vacant during this time which would result in a reduction in senior management costs of £190,000 over the course of the year. “This will help to offset the overall cost of the departure which totals £312,000 including pension costs.”

In May this year the Liberal Democrats regained control of the local authority from the Conservatives.

Cllr Liz Green, the Leader of Kingston, said:  “I want to thank Charlie for the work she has put in as chief executive over the past two years. I recognise that the former administration thought highly of her work and that she had exemplary appraisals from them.

“The new administration will be taking the council in a new direction and this will require a change to the way the organisation is led and managed. I am grateful to Charlie for agreeing to leave at this time.”

Adan said: “I am very sorry to be leaving Kingston. I have greatly enjoyed working for the Royal Borough over the last two years and together with a great team of officers, partners and councillor colleagues, we have achieved a lot.

“I was set the task of bringing about change and transformation, and I have done so. I have focused on achieving outcomes, transforming the way the council works and creating a new operating model to meet the challenges facing the council. Our ‘No Stone Unturned’ strategic financial review created a financial plan to meet funding constraints.

“I have fundamentally changed the organisation’s design and culture and will be leaving a highly networked team, a leaner, fitter and more focused organisation with greatly reduced workforce costs. I will be sad to be leaving such a high quality team.”