Gloucestershire County Council chief executive to retire next May

Long-standing member of Gloucestershire County Council Pete Bungard is set to retire on May 4 next year - exactly two decades after he took up the role of chief executive.

Indeed, he first joined the council in 1998 as director of environment and so has a wealth of experience and deep understanding of the authority.

Bungard has led the council through many challenges including the time following the council’s Children’s Service Ofsted inspection, the period from 2010 when local government was asked to make massive savings, and recently the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has worked under three council leaders, firstly Barry Dare and then, for 14 years with Mark Hawthorne, and more recently, Stephen Davies.

He was also the council representative on the University of Gloucestershire’s governing body from May 2012 to summer of 2021 and was, under the previous Labour Government, a non-executive director of the Government Equalities Office.

Bungard said: "Whilst so much has changed over the years, which in many ways is what has made my time with GCC so enjoyable, one thing has remained consistent: the dedication and hard work of GCC staff.

"I have been lucky enough to work with so many talented people over the years, all applying their experience and expertise to support Gloucestershire’s diverse communities.

“I have also been fortunate enough to have enjoyed strong working relationships with each of the Leaders I have worked under. Without this shared commitment and mutual understanding, the job of Chief Executive can be very challenging.

"Whilst the time immediately after the Children’s Service Ofsted inspection was incredibly tough, I am so proud of the progress that has been made since and the clear plan that is in place to make sure things continue in the right direction.

"The years of austerity where we had to make massive savings were also incredibly testing but local government is resilient and resourceful and found the best possible way to deliver essential services for Gloucestershire communities," he added.

"There is so much strength and skill within the council and indeed the wider public sector that I know, whatever the challenge they will, together work to support and protect communities, and build for an ever-stronger Gloucestershire."

The process to recruit a new chief executive is expected to begin later this month.