Sefton Council has announced it has appointed a new chief executive following the retirement of outgoing council head Dwayne Johnson.
Recruitment had been underway for Mr Johnson’s replacement after he revealed in January he would be stepping down after four decades of local authority service and three years at the helm of Sefton Council.
Mr Johnson took up the role of chief executive for the local authority in 2019 after previously being its director of social care from 2015.
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At a meeting of Sefton’s full council held in Southport tonight, council leader, Cllr Ian Maher announced that following interviews, which took place yesterday, the council had appointed Philip Porter as its new chief executive.
Mr Porter is currently the corporate director of adult social care and health for Brent Council, where he has worked since 2011.
Cllr Maher, who chairs the employment procedure committee which met yesterday to conduct interviews with prospective candidates said “many excellent applications” had been received.
He said committee members “were very impressed with the calibre of the shortlisted candidates” adding: “This certainly wasn’t an easy decision.”
He said Mr Porter impressed the panel with his “many and varied skills”.
Cllr Maher added: “I look forward to working with him once he has taken up his new post.”
Outgoing chief executive Dwayne Johnson said he was “delighted to be handing over the reins to Philip.”
Mr Johnson said: “I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job at Sefton and joins at an exciting time.”
Referencing regeneration projects due to start, he added: “I’m sure he will build on the progress we have been making over the last few years.”
Prior to working at Brent Council in various roles over the past 12 years, Mr Porter spent nine years in Kent working as a consultant.
A Sefton council spokesperson said that Mr Porter’s interest outside of work include spending time with his young family, cycling, cross country running and swimming.
The spokesperson said: “He is really looking forward to open water swimming at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and along the Sefton coast when he can. ”
Mr Porter said he was “excited” about the opportunity, adding he felt “enormously privileged” to take up the role.
He said: “I have a connection to the local area; my sister and her family moved to Crosby in 2013, and so I have been visiting the borough for the last 10 years and enjoying what Sefton has to offer. I am looking forward to seeing much more in the coming years.
“I have been really impressed by the Council’s commitment to improve core services now, particularly Children’s Services, as well as its ambition for the future, from Bootle to Southport.
“I am excited to meet and work closely with new colleagues, Councillors, partners, and residents because I am passionate about the difference we can make, working together, in Sefton.”
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