[A]fter a rigorous selection process Eden District Council announced last night (Thursday 10 May 2018) that Rose Rouse, currently a Corporate Director with Worcester City Council will be the authority’s new full-time Chief Executive.
Eden District Council’s Leader, Councillor Kevin Beaty, said: “I am delighted with the quality of candidate the recruitment process attracted, it shows that the Eden area and wider Cumbria is very attractive as a place to live and work. The Council has a very ambitious programme of work to deliver over the next few years and I look forward to working with Rose to being this to fruition.”
Rose Rouse, has been a Corporate Director at Worcester City Council for the past two years, leading a transformation programme to deliver customer improvements, develop the Council’s commercial offer and new ways of working. During the past 10 years Rose has held senior positions in local government with Councils in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Rose Rouse said: “I am thrilled to have been offered the role of Chief Executive of Eden District Council. I am looking forward to working with councillors, employees and partners to take forward the Council’s priorities for the district.
“The Council has set out an ambitious programme of work and I am confident with Eden’s track record of delivering high quality services and challenging projects, we will realise the vision for Eden. Eden is in a unique position with the potential to become the economic heart of Cumbria and with its strong and vibrant rural communities and beautiful environment it offers a fantastic quality of life.
“On a personal level, I am happy to be returning to the area, having spent time living and working in the district earlier in my career.”
Dates are currently being agreed for when Rose Rouse’s employment will commence as Chief Executive and the Council is organising interim arrangements to cover the role of Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service.
Bibian McRoy, Eden District Council’s Assistant Director of Organisational Development, said: “Members and officers have been involved in the selection process for Eden District Council’s new Chief Executive by attending presentations by prospective candidates. Both Members and officers ranked Rose Rouse very highly. The External Stakeholder Group who made up part of the recruitment assessment day, which included Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of Cumbria County Council, Peter McCall, Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Steve Healey, Cumbria Chief Fire Officer, Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Samantha Bagshaw, Chief Officer of Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC) were unanimous in thinking that Rose would make a good appointment.”
Eden District Council sought to recruit a new Chief Executive after the existing post holder Dr Robin Hooper tendered his resignation in January 2018 after seven years’ service.
