An interim chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council has been officially appointed following the announcement that the current top boss was moving on after 6 years at the helm.
Earlier this month John Metcalfe, the current chief executive, announced a move to Cumbria County Council, as previously reported by Island Echo.
An interim replacement has been named as the current deputy chief executive Wendy Perera. Her appointment was approved at the full council meeting on Wednesday.
Multiple councillors from across all sides of the chamber paid tribute to Mr Metcalfe, who first joined County Hall in 1997, and wished him luck in his move. They also welcomed Mrs Perera who has held the deputy position since 2018.
Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, thanked Mr Metcalfe and said:
“In the Sound of Music, they say when God closes a door he opens a window, so hopefully your window is bright and the door is opened to Mrs Perera.”
Councillor Daryll Pitcher reflected on Mr Metcalfe’s career saying he had seen him take his first steps as chief executive, and it was nice to see where it had taken him and now Cumbria was getting one of the council’s best.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Ian Stephens said since he joined the council, Mr Metcalfe had always been fair — it didn’t matter which side of the chamber a council sat, he treated them all the same. He said:
“You have never shown a bias, but respect for the members and your officers and in my mind, you have left a big space here in the Isle of Wight Council.
“In the last few months, being a cabinet member, it has been quite a comfort to have Mrs Perera, someone who has the ability to step up and step forward. She is a very talented officer and is going to do us very well.”
A permanent appointment will be made to fill the chief executive role but, for now, the interim position can continue for no more than 12 months after Mrs Perera starts, before it is reviewed.
So all in charge with the chain ferry debacle and he is considered a top guy……what happened to corporate responsibility and consequences…..in the real world you get dismissed
Wendy should be interim, Metcalfe is a nice guy, really nice guy but was a C+, getting praise from Ian Stephens was a bit like being hit over the head by a wet lettuce!. Council needs new blood, Wendy is a product and part of the problem, find the equivalent of a Greg Underwood to sort out the issues, and you will see a happier and much better Island
Still don’t understand why they are wasting our money!
Excessive wage and pension pot for what …..
If you really need to cut costs you know where to start !!!!
In your Council Offices….
Then maybe we Joe public you’re cash cow’s may not lose services or have to pay more ….??????
What is the point of a chief executive?
A door shuts a window opens is the door one of those revolving one’s