Cllr Nick Adams-King steps up as leader of Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council held its annual general meeting yesterday, officially inaugurating Cllr Nick Adams-King as the new leader of the council – with Cllr Jan Warwick as deputy leader and Cllr Keith Mans as chairman.
Nick has been councillor for Romsey Rural since 2021, and a member of the county council’s cabinet since 2022.
During that time, he’s been responsible for Hampshire’s universal services – including the county’s network of highways, which spans over 5,000 miles.
A chartered surveyor by profession, Nick’s career has also spanned the property and hospitality sectors.
He was first elected as a Bournemouth Borough councillor in 2005, a Test Valley Borough councillor in 2015, and then the borough council’s deputy leader from 2017 until earlier this year.
Nick now takes over from Cllr Rob Humby, who wrote to councillors following the announcement that he’d be stepping down from the role.
Read more - Letter: thank you from Rob Humby, departing leader of Hampshire County Council
Nick said: “I’d like to pay tribute to former leader Cllr Rob Humby and deputy leader Cllr Roz Chadd for steering the county council through two intensely difficult years.
“Rob stands down knowing he’s changed Hampshire County Council for the better.
“We owe him a huge vote of thanks – not just for his sacrifice and hard work of the last two years, but for his many years of service to the people of Hampshire.
“Under my leadership, Hampshire County Council will continue to strive to be an efficient, caring, innovative, business friendly council.
“One that cares for our environment, tackles the challenge of climate change, and actively promotes the positive and necessary work we do to protect our most vulnerable Hampshire residents.
“I’m blessed with an amazing team of colleagues who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm and it is an incredible honour to be chosen by them as their leader.
“Among these individuals there is no one more talented than Cllr Jan Warwick, whom I’m delighted will be deputy leader of the council.”
