THE chief executive of Worcestershire County Council Clare Marchant is to quit her role at County Hall at the end of June.
Her announcement comes just five weeks before the forthcoming county council elections on May 4.
Ms Marchant joined Worcestershire County Council in 2010 as the council’s head of change before she became assistant chief executive in 2012.
She leaves County Hall to become the new chief executive of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, UCAS.
Her departure was revealed to staff on Monday (April 3) and speaking after the announcement, Ms Marchant said she would leave the council in the hands of a ‘brilliant team’.
“Worcestershire is a council I have been proud to lead and I will miss those staff whom I have had the pleasure of working with and leading in our daily endeavour to do the best for our residents,” she said.
“In recent years we have benefited from over £100million of infrastructure investment.
“We have the fastest growing economy in England, significant innovation in our work with partners such as West Mercia Police, district councils and our health colleagues.
“Together we have established a track record in delivering commercial and digital change on behalf of our residents.
“I am sad to be leaving but I am looking forward to a new challenge and the opportunity of leading UCAS for the benefit of young people.
“I look forward to working with education providers to ensure participation is widened, retention and satisfaction maximised and that the experience enriches and enables our young people to achieve their potential and make the best contribution to society and our economy they can,” she added.
Arrangements for after her departure will be confirmed following next month’s county council elections.
