Long-serving Colchester Borough Council (CBC) Chief Executive, Adrian Pritchard, has today (Friday) announced he is to retire in March after being in the position for more than 17 years.
Adrian joined the council in 2001 and has been its Chief Executive since 2004. He will leave on 31 March 2022. He joined CBC from Suffolk County Council in October 2001 as an Executive Director, before being appointed as Chief Executive three years later.
In recent years, Adrian has overseen the creation of the council’s commercial arm, Colchester Commercial Holdings Ltd, and its subsidiary companies, as well as the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the start of the borough’s recovery following the subsequent national lockdowns.
Adrian said: “This has been a hard decision but after working in local government for over 48 years and being Chief Executive of Colchester Borough Council for over 17 years, it is time for me to move on.
“I have been privileged to work in the local government sector for so long and proud to have been the Chief Executive of the large and outstanding borough council that is Colchester.
“I know that in my time I have asked a lot from my colleagues – from frontline service deliverers to my senior and executive management team colleagues – and even more so during the past 18 months of the global Covid pandemic. I have to say that they have surpassed all that I have asked of them and I am proud of every one of them.”
Cllr Paul Dundas, Leader of the Council, said: “Adrian has been a stalwart of Colchester Borough Council for many many years. I think not only does this council owe him a debt of gratitude for his service, but Colchester as a whole does.
“His dedication to his work and to this borough has been tremendous, and I know colleagues across the political spectrum have valued his work, support and guidance over the years.
“As well as his work in Colchester, he is well-respected across local government for his long and hard work and service in the sector, and has gone to great lengths to ensure Colchester’s voice has been heard nationally in local government matters.
“I wish every success and enjoyment to him and his family in his much-deserved retirement, but I know he will be big shoes to fill going forward. I am very grateful that Adrian has given us extended advance notice and will be remaining with us for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition. On behalf of everyone at CBC, thank you Adrian for everything you have done for this borough.”
Adrian will also be stepping down as Managing Director of Colchester Commercial Holdings Ltd from 31 March 2022.
Page last reviewed: 1 October 2021