Patrick Ellis, 44, has been appointed as the council’s new assistant chief executive, and will take up the post in January. He will help to implement the wide-ranging ‘Forward Together’ change programme and re-shape how the council delivers services.
Patrick is currently head of business improvement at West Sussex County Council, where he has had a number of different roles since joining in 1998.
These include assistant chief executive, when he was responsible for special projects and policy development with councillors, and head of supported housing, where he focused on helping vulnerable people to live independently in the community.
He spent four years as head of customer services and encouraged people to use new online channels, increasing web hits by 150 per cent and reducing phone calls by 30 per cent.
Most recently he has worked on the council’s transformation programme, and will use this expertise and experience to help Dorset County Council maintain and develop services in the face of mounting financial pressures.
Patrick, who is married with two young children, said: “I liked the TSB adverts where they were the bank that liked to say yes. We should be focused on saying yes and, if there’s a reason we can’t, we should find another way to get things done.
“We need to concentrate on outcomes, both for our staff and for local residents.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this role in Dorset – it’s a really exciting opportunity. When I read about Forward Together and the way Dorset is trying to change its culture and way of working, I was really attracted to being part of that.”
Chief Executive Debbie Ward said: “This is an important role for us in shaping our central support services in meeting future needs in communities across Dorset with significantly less money available to us in coming years.
“Patrick brings a wealth of experience in numerous different services and in major change programmes, and I know he will be a real asset in bringing together my office and the Corporate Resources directorate, as well as supporting the council as a whole.”
