David Blake
Thirty-two years director-level experience in the public sector, with the last nine years as Chief Executive of Worcester City Council. As Chief Executive of Worcester City Council, brought significant inward investment and in partnership with key stakeholders, delivered a range of key capital projects.
Operating under ‘No Overall Control’, through the development of five-year city plans in 2022 and 2025, brought political consensus and agreed common objectives across four (2022) and three (2025) political parties https://www.worcester.gov.uk/council/city-plan.
At West Midlands regional level, successfully delivered some of the largest and most successful infrastructure, innovation and business support projects and programmes in the West Midlands. Also developed and implemented a headlining impact evaluation programme published by PricewaterhouseCoopers and cited as good practice by the National Audit Office.
Particular executive knowledge and experience include capital programme development and delivery, business support and skills development, corporate governance (internal audit and risk management), performance management and improvement and partnership and relationship development.
An experienced peer reviewer, having undertaken reviews of three local authorities as part of the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge programme.
As a Non-Executive Director, established and served on the boards of West Midlands’ urban regeneration companies and a range of organisations in the economic development, training/skills development, education, business support and housing sectors.
Specialism(s): Peer Assessment / Quality Review, Investigation / Audit, Disciplinary Investigations, Grievance Investigations, Organisational Design, Project Management, Policy Development / Design and Transformation / Change Management
No of years Public Sector experience: 30+
Sector Specialism: Local Government & Education
