New chief executive set to take over at South Tyneside Council

A new top non-political boss is set to takeover at South Tyneside Council.
Jonathan Tew is set to become the new chief executive at South Tyneside CouncilJonathan Tew is set to become the new chief executive at South Tyneside Council
Jonathan Tew is set to become the new chief executive at South Tyneside Council

Jonathan Tew has been recommended as the authority’s new chief executive – the top officer overseeing council operations.

Jonathan is currently the Assistant Chief Executive at Birmingham City Council and has worked at a senior level in local authorities across the North West, the West Midlands and the North East.

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The top post at South Tyneside Council has sat empty for months after the departure of previous chief executive Martin Swales, who retired in September 2020.

South Shields town hallSouth Shields town hall
South Shields town hall

Some of his core duties were split between other senior officers.

A statement released by South Tyneside Council reads: “An experienced public servant, in his senior role at Birmingham City Council, Jonathan leads on public health; community safety; policy development, performance and insight; strategic communications; partnership working and improvement across the complex range of services provided to over a million residents.

“Prior to that, Jonathan was an Associate Director at KPMG LLP’s public sector and health consulting practice, advising senior politicians, chief executives and statutory directors across the UK public sector.

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“Jonathan has performed a range of policy, performance, community development and programme management roles in local authorities in County Durham, Lancashire and Stoke-on-Trent. He also has extensive experience of working closely with Government departments and supporting Home Office and CLG national programmes with an emphasis on counter-terrorism, social cohesion and public service reform.

The appointment is subject to ratification at the full Borough Council on 18.

Subject to formal ratification, Jonathan is expected to join South Tyneside Council in late summer, following his notice period with his current employer.

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