Guildford and Waverley’s new shared CEO secures a £169,950 salary after a quick committee vote, matching regional peers and union pay agreements.
A Swift Decision: Council CEO Pay Raised to £169,950
In a meeting that lasted barely two minutes, the Guildford and Waverley Joint Senior Staff Committee approved a new salary of £169,950 for their recently appointed shared Chief Executive Officer. This move comes after the departure of former CEO Tom Horwood, who stepped down citing health reasons.
From Options on the Table to a Fast-Tracked Pay Bump
When the committee gathered on Thursday, July 31, they had a few compensation proposals to consider. One was a 3.2% increase that unions supported, while another more generous option involved a one-off £25,500 lump sum, raising the total salary to £185,000.
However, the committee ultimately landed on a modest 3% raise, translating to a £4,950 bump from the previous £165,000 base — setting the new figure at £169,950.
Union Alignment and Market Benchmarking
UNISON, the union representing local authority senior staff, had already signed off on a 3% pay award for Waverley Borough Council employees. Interestingly, Guildford Borough Council has yet to finalize its pay agreement.
A spokesperson from Waverley Borough Council stated:
“This decision aligns with the pay award agreed with UNISON for Waverley Borough Council employees and the councils’ Joint Leadership Team.”
Why the Increase? Competition and Retention
The council emphasized that offering a competitive salary is crucial to attracting and retaining strong leadership, especially as nearby councils with smaller populations and fewer staff offer higher pay packages.
Benchmarking data pointed to shared CEO roles in places like Broadland District, South Norfolk, Boston Borough, and South Holland District, where compensation often exceeds current offerings.
Final Thoughts
In a tough market for executive talent, this measured salary increase keeps Guildford and Waverley in step with their peers. While not the most eye-popping number discussed in the meeting, the decision shows a balance between fiscal prudence and strategic competitiveness.
