Sean Harriss, Chief Executive of Harrow Council, is to step down next month after three and a half years in the role.
Patrick (Pat) Flaherty has been selected to replace Mr Harriss as Harrow Council’s new Chief Executive.
Mr Flaherty’s appointment was formally approved at last night’s meeting of Harrow’s Council.
Outgoing Chief Executive, Sean Harriss, has guided the authority through the Covid pandemic and contributing to London’s wider response to the health emergency.
Pat is due to join Harrow in the autumn from Somerset County Council, where he has been Chief Executive for almost a decade. During Pat’s long and successful career to date he has also held leadership roles in areas including regeneration, transport and health, and throughout the recruitment process distinguished himself as an exceptional candidate.
Cllr Paul Osborn, Leader of Harrow Council said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter in Harrow’s story. As an administration, we are keen to begin working hard for the people of Harrow and doing so in partnership with our borough’s new Chief Executive.
“Pat impressed me throughout the selection period with his commitment to public service and his broad experience of local authority leadership.
“Thank you to Sean for his service as Chief Executive over the last three and a half years – we wish him all the very best in his future career.”
On his appointment, Pat Flaherty said: “I am delighted and honoured to be invited to join the London Borough of Harrow as its Chief Executive Officer.
“It is clearly a very exciting time to be joining and I look forward to working with our councillors and staff, our partners and the wonderful community of Harrow to make a real difference. Sean will be a hard act to follow but I can’t wait to get started.”
Harrow’s Corporate Director of People Services, Paul Hewitt, will serve as Interim Chief Executive until Pat takes up his post in the autumn
Source: Harrow Council
