John Foster: CV
- Published: 28 August 2008 08:01
- Last Updated: 27 August 2008 11:38
_resized_150_tcm16-1808866.jpg "John Foster: CV")
John Foster, a qualified accountant and member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy, started work in local government for Northumberland CC as a community worker in 1970.
He then worked at Durham CC before joining the Home Office. In 1992 he became executive director of North Tyneside MBC. He stayed there until 1998 when he joined Middlesbrough as chief executive.
He stayed at Middlesborough until 2003 when he went to become chief executive at Wakefield MDC.
During his tenure, the council transformed its CPA rating from 'poor' to 'good', an achievement crowned by being named most improved council in LGC's Awards 2006. Other achievements include the new Hepworth Gallery as part of Wakefield's Trinity Walk development.
Sources at the council said his departure last year was down to disagreements with leader Peter Box (Lab). After a successful spell at the helm his departure took many in local government by surprise.
Other notable positions Mr Foster has held include being appointed as the first council chief executive member of the Audit Commission in January 1995 and serving on the Local Government Management Board advisory group on local government reorganisation. He was also appointed to the Housing Corporation in 1996 by then housing minister David Curry.
This year, the 59-year-old was awarded a CBE by the Queen for services to local government.
