Jackie Yates Recommended as New Permanent Council Chief Executive

Jackie Yates has been recommended by a cross-party panel to become the new permanent Chief Executive at Reading Borough Council.

Mrs Yates is currently the Interim Chief Executive of the Council. Her appointment will be unanimously recommended to Full Council on Wednesday next week (Oct 18) following a recent cross-party Personnel Panel Committee interview process. If ratified by Full Council, she will succeed Peter Sloman, who retired in August after a period of five years at the helm.

Jackie Yates has worked in Local Government her whole career, starting as a graduate trainee in the Finance Department of Oxfordshire County Council. Her career has included periods at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire County Council and Oxford City Council. As a result, she has a wealth of experience across every type of authority - County, District and Unitary.  She joined Reading Borough Council in 2018 as Executive Director of Resources and became Deputy Chief Executive in 2021.

If agreed by Full Council next Wednesday, Jackie Yates will take up the permanent post of the Council’s most senior officer the following day.

Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:

“Jackie brings with her a wealth of experience as a leader in Local Government and right across the range of local authority types. Her passion and commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our residents, our partners and our communities, really stood out.

 “I am additionally pleased that we have been able to recommend to Full Council an internal candidate for this key post. It means she can hit the ground running at a critical time where local councils again will be the first port of call for residents who may be struggling through the cost of living crisis. I am confident Jackie will help build on our many successes to date and help us face any challenges head on.”

Jackie Yates said:

“It is a huge privilege to take on the role of Chief Executive.  Reading is a thriving and vibrant town with many opportunities, but also some significant challenges that will only be exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis.

 “I am excited and looking forward to working with Councillors, partners, our fantastically talented staff and communities to ensure all our residents have the opportunity to share in Reading’s success and live their best lives.”

The report to Full Council can be found at https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents/s23696/ChiefExecutive-Appointment.pdf