Surrey County Council appoints new Executive Director of Place

Surrey County Council has appointed Owen Jenkins as its new Executive Director of Place.

The appointment will see Owen move across from his current position in the council as interim Executive Director of Highways, Infrastructure and Planning (HIP), a position he has held since August 2024.

The council’s HIP and Environment, Property & Growth (EPG) directorates will be merged under the new Place directorate, effective from 1 June 2025. The council’s Land and Property service will move from EPG to Resources, reporting to Andy Brown, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director Resources, also from 1 June 2025.

Owen brings with him a track record of more than 25 years in local government, including widespread experience in place-based services including highways, waste, transport, economic development, cultural services, property, facilities management and major infrastructure.

Surrey County Council Chief Executive Terence Herbert said: “I am pleased that Owen will be taking on this new position.

“With an extensive career in leading place services, Owen has a proven track record of leading large-scale projects that deliver real impact, as well as highways, transport and other place services to a high standard.

“This appointment will further strengthen the senior leadership at the council at an important time, as we continue our improvement journey in the face of considerable financial pressures and the preparations for Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

“I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Leader of Surrey County Council Tim Oliver said: “Owen has made an important contribution in his time here already, and I have no doubt his considerable experience in local government and stability will prove invaluable as we navigate through the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation whilst maintaining our continued emphasis on excellent delivery for our residents and communities.”

Owen Jenkins said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the role. I am passionate about building collaborative partnerships in public service and leading transformation through innovation to improve the customer experience.

“From what I have seen so far Surrey has all the building blocks to deliver excellent services for its residents and I look forward to working with my teams to make sure we realise that potential.”

Owen joined the council in August 2024, following 10 years at Oxfordshire County Council, the latter five spent as Director of Place, Transport and Infrastructure. Prior to working at Oxfordshire, he previously worked at City of Cardiff Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Gloucestershire County Council. Owen is also an LGA Peer Reviewer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation sitting on their National Council, and a recent chair of the Midlands Highway Alliance & Framework Board.