Isle Of Wight Council To Begin Recruitment For Key Finance Role With £129,500 Salary

The Isle of Wight Council could soon start recruiting for a senior leadership role, with a salary of up to £129,500.

County Hall officers have recommended that the appointments and employment committee (AEC) approve a search for a strategic director of finance and deputy chief executive, who will also take on the responsibilities of a section 151 officer.

Current section 151 chief financial officer Chris Ward will step down in May after ten years in the role, coinciding with the end of a shared finance arrangement with Portsmouth City Council.

The section 151 officer is responsible for overseeing the council’s financial affairs and ensuring they are properly managed, in line with guidance from the Local Government Association.

A report from County Hall’s chief executive Wendy Perera said the appointment is “required following the end of the shared finance arrangement with Portsmouth City Council in May 2026 and the governance review endorsed by full council in November 2025, which identified the need for stronger financial oversight and a dedicated s151 role.”

The report adds the post will provide senior financial leadership, fulfil statutory responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Government Finance Act 1988, and support corporate governance, transformation, and improvement initiatives.

Combining the role with deputy chief executive duties is intended to strengthen leadership continuity and organisational resilience.

Failure to appoint could risk weakened financial governance, reduced senior capacity, and potential intervention from external auditors, the report warns.

The total annual employment cost is £178,607, with a salary range between £120,535 and £129,500. Interim arrangements will be put in place until a permanent appointment is made, funded from existing council resources.

The AEC will meet at County Hall at 2pm on Wednesday, 25 March to discuss the recruitment.