Mark Lloyd CBE, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, will be leaving the organisation after eight years in the role. He is the organisation’s second longest-serving chief having taken on this national leadership role after a decade running two councils.
During his time at the LGA, Mark led councils through some of the biggest challenges local government has faced, including the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, the implications of Brexit, the COVID pandemic and the rising cost of living. Throughout this time, he has provided advice and support to help councils improve and worked closely with government on a wide range of issues, from homelessness to asylum and resettlement, and from local government finance to children’s and adult services. He has overseen an increase in LGA membership and leaves the organisation with its highest rates of council and staff satisfaction.
While permanent arrangements are made, Sarah Pickup CBE, LGA Deputy Chief Executive, will be Acting Chief Executive supported by Sally Burlington OBE as Deputy Chief Executive. Sarah will take up this post from 7 October.
Mark Lloyd said:
“It has been a brilliant eight years at the LGA. My enormous thanks to the excellent LGA team and all the councillors, council chief executives, partner organisations and government ministers and officials I’ve had the privilege and pleasure to work with. This is the best job in local government but now is the right time for me to hand over the LGA for someone to build on the achievements we have delivered and the progress we have made. After working so intensely in this role, it’s time to briefly catch my breath and decide how I make the most valuable next contribution.”
Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the LGA, said:
“Mark has steered the LGA through some of the most difficult times and represented the whole of local government on some of the thorniest topics the country and councils have faced. The LGA Group Leaders and Board join me in wishing him well for the future and in thanking him for his outstanding service to the LGA and local government.
“Sarah Pickup brings knowledge of a wide range of challenges and opportunities for local government and has worked extensively with central government and the NHS. She will lead the LGA in the interim as the organisation continues to deliver for members as the national voice of local government.”
Work will start immediately to appoint the next LGA chief executive.
Notes to editors:
- Mark Lloyd was appointed to the LGA in 2015 following 10 years as the chief executive of two councils – Durham County Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. In 2022, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to local government and charity. Mark will continue to serve in non-executive roles with the UK Health Security Agency and HM Prison and Probation Service.
- Sarah Pickup has been Deputy Chief Executive of the LGA since September 2015, leading on finance policy and adult social care and health integration, and is responsible for the Workforce and Pensions teams as well as overseeing the LGA’s own finances. She previously worked for Hertfordshire County Council as Deputy Chief Executive with responsibility for finance and corporate services and prior to that was Director of Health and Community Services in Hertfordshire for 10 years. She is a CIPFA-qualified accountant and was President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in 2012/13. In 2023, Sarah was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to social care adding to the OBE she received in 2014.