YouTube Chief Exec clicks with council

South Norfolk Council's search for a new chief executive is almost over.

Sandra Dinneen, Head of Economic Development at Norfolk County Council, is being recommended for the top job after two days of tough interviews, assessments, tests and meetings.

The recommendation came in a report to Cabinet today (Monday 8 September) and was supported by councillors. It must now go for approval to South Norfolk Council, which meets on 22 September.

Sandra lives in Tacolneston, South Norfolk, with her husband and two children.

She knows the county and district well, and has led the county council's economic development service since 1997.

During that time, one of her outstanding achievements was her work with agencies and organisations to establish the East of England Innovation and Production Centre (EPIC) in the county, based in Norwich.

That investment paid off, and last week EPIC announced that it has become the UK centre for a multi-million pound Northern European media and broadband project. It underlines the county's cutting edge status in the growing digital revolution.

The recommendation to appoint Sandra follows a national search for the right candidate, which took off when Council Leader John Fuller went onto YouTube with a five-minute recruitment video.

It attracted hundreds of hits within hours of being announced, sparking a debate and coverage in the regional, national and specialist local government media.

The coverage produced serious interest which boiled down to 20 very strong applications from local and national candidates.

Councillor Fuller said:

"Summer was a tricky time to recruit and the added uncertainty of a local government review could have put us in a muddle but in a very strong field of candidates from the public and private sector, Sandra rose to the top.

"South Norfolk is an 'Excellent' council that punches above its weight and I know that Sandra will be a prize fighter for local residents and business. Having launched our search on YouTube, she really clicked with us."

Sandra Dinneen said:

"I am delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive for South Norfolk. In particular I am keen to build on the excellent status awarded earlier this year by the Audit Commission. I have been extremely impressed with the calibre of the staff I have met and the energy and enthusiasm of the elected Members.

"The next few months will be an interesting time for local government in Norfolk and I am looking forward to meeting the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead."

David White, Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council, said:

"I wish to give my warmest congratulations to Sandra on being offered the post of Chief Executive of South Norfolk Council.

"Sandra, who joined us from Norwich City Council, has been both an effective head of service and an important member of our Chief Officer Group, and I am sure she will be a tremendous asset to South Norfolk."

Sandra joined Norfolk County Council in 1997 and in that time, was seconded to the leadership team that established the East of England Development Agency. She helped produce its first regional economic strategy.

Before Norfolk County Council she spent nine years at Norwich City Council as an economic development officer.

She holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics from University College London, and a Diploma in Management Studies from City College, Norwich.

When she is not working, her interests include sailing, tennis, restoring old properties and spending time with her family and friends.

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