Derby City Council Chief Executive announces retirement

Published: 16 December 2019

The Chief Executive of Derby City Council, Carole Mills has announced she will be retiring from Derby City Council in the New Year. Carole joined the Council in August 2018 and has over 36 years of public service.

Carole said:

This is a decision I’ve not come to lightly, having been in public service for over three decades and having come to Derby with every intention of being in post for three years or more. However, a recent health diagnosis alongside those of my husband has strongly influenced my decision.  I also have elderly parents to support and a little grandson with a heart condition. The time has come for me to put my family first. I’ve enjoyed my time here and am sorry to be leaving.  I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some incredibly dedicated, hardworking and talented people who are very much here for Derby. I will be likewise until my very last day in post. Derby is a great place and I wish the city and Derby City Council all the very best for the future.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Chris Poulter said:

I was really saddened to receive notification of Carole’s intention to retire from Derby City Council but entirely understand and fully support her personal reasons for doing so.  Carole has devoted most of what has been a long, dedicated and distinguished career, to public service. She should be extremely proud of all her achievements. In her time with us, she has worked incredibly hard alongside her new team and with members of the council to bring about significant positive change to the Council and for her colleagues. Derby City Council is in a much stronger place as a result of her time here. I know that she is really disappointed to have to leave before being able to deliver on her ambition to work with us in partnership, to raise the profile of our city even further and establish a clear forward looking vision for the future of our great city. On behalf of my group members and myself I wish her every health, happiness and better fortune in the coming months and years, of what will be a well-earned retirement.

Cllr Lisa Eldret, Leader of the Labour Group said:

I’m sorry to see Carole go and wish her all the best. It has been a pleasure to work with her and I will miss the support, dedication and commitment that she’s given to the Council. We all wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Cllr Ruth Skelton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said:

I’ve really enjoyed working with Carole during her time at Derby City Council and I’m sorry that she’ll be retiring early.  On behalf of the Liberal Democrat group I wish her all the very best for the future.

Cllr Alan Graves, Leader of the Brexit Party said:

I was really shocked to hear the news about Carole retiring because in her short time with Derby she has made a huge difference to how the Council operates. One big factor where she has been influential is in improving staff morale. However, her decision is completely understandable and putting family and personal health first is the right decision.

The Council will be looking to make a permanent appointment to the vacant role.  Meanwhile, it’s proposed that Paul Simpson, Strategic Director of Corporate Resources and Deputy Chief Executive will become Acting CEO.

NOTES:

Carole Mills joined Derby City Council in August 2018 from Milton Keynes Council where she had been CEO for four years.  Carole has worked in local government since 1986, having previously worked in the health service and in the private sector.

She is taking early retirement, at no cost to the Council.

Democracy