Edwards becomes Chief Legal Officer and MO at Norfolk

Helen Edwards has been appointed Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer for Norfolk County Council, returning to where she began her local government career.

In her new role she will have oversight of nplaw, the shared legal service, and responsibility for Democratic Services.

Edwards first joined Norfolk in 1996, leading the Litigation team until 2006.

She has since worked in a number of local authorities, including London boroughs, unitary and district councils, before returning to Norfolk this month.

She also spent three years with the consultancy Kennedy Cater, where her clients included local authorities, housing associations and the NHS, as well as private clients. Her work with Kennedy Cater focussed on projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services.

Edwards said she was delighted to be returning to Norfolk. “It is an interesting time to join the council as it prepares to change its governance arrangements from committee to cabinet.”