Local Government Challenge Finalists Announced

23/11/2009

The search for candidates to take part in the first ever Local Government Challenge, is over.

The ten finalists, selected by a panel of six judges,will compete in a series of challenges to be crowned winner of the Challenge, which this year, is sponsored by Liberata.

The successful ten are:

• Nahid Alaei, Procurement and Contracts Management Officer, Lambeth Council
• Rachel Allen, Business Improvement Officer, London Borough of Merton
• David Brown, Arts & Creative Industries Business Development Officer, Mansfield District Council
• Helen Burkhalter, Portfolio Officer (Climate Change), Denbighshire Council
• Von Robert Edomi, Media and Public Relations Manager, Barking and Dagenham Council
• Angela Holden, Electoral Services Manager, London Borough of Hounslow
• Michael Ngue, Private Renting Access and Support Officer, Lambeth Council
• Rosalind Thorpe, Legal Support Officer, Stockport Council
• Antony Walker, Corporate Policy and Performance Assistant,  Birmingham City Council
• Jessica Woodhouse, Policy and Project Officer, Norwich City Council

Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association said:

“The calibre of applicants was exceptionally high.  Unfortunately there can only be ten finalists and I am confident that those selected will demonstrate their enthusiasm and potential to become a top council executive of the future.

“The competition will give contestants the chance to learn from each other, to tap into skills they might not normally use in their day job and to experience the challenges that staff in different parts of the public sector face on a daily basis.

“It is more important now than ever that councils are seen as forward-thinking, innovative and efficient. The Local Government Challenge will give us an opportunity to celebrate the diverse talent and ambition in councils and help us to promote local government as a rewarding career choice”.

Challenges will begin in January 2010 and will be held in place in Northampton, Waverley/Surrey, Essex, Coventry and Kent. They will be based around:

• a front-line service
• policy development
  
• media/communications
  
• community engagement
  
• innovation

The winner will be announced at the LGA Group Annual Conference 2010 in Bournemouth. He or she will receive the first ever prestigious Bruce-Lockhart Scholarship, worth up to £10,000, to promote and share fresh ideas and approaches for the public sector through exchanges between the UK, USA and Europe.