Richard Hicks has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Medway Council.
Richard is currently the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive for the council and has worked for the authority for 25 years. He will replace Neil Davies, who will be retiring in June after 17 years in the role and 24 years at Medway Council.
The recommendation to appoint Richard, which was made by the Appointments Committee (a panel who carried out the interviews), was agreed at Full Council on Thursday, 23 February 2023.
In his current role Richard drives the delivery of the council’s placemaking agenda, seeking to establish Medway as a great place to live, work, learn and visit.
As Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive, Richard has responsibility for Frontline Services, Culture and Community, Regeneration, and Communications and Marketing.
The Regeneration, Culture and Environment directorate provides essential services such as Waste, Highways and Transport, alongside delivering one of the largest free events and festival programmes in the country, delivering a monumental regeneration programme including our Housing Infrastructure Fund programme, worth £170million, and delivering the council’s Medway on the Map agenda.
Richard has held a number of roles at Medway since its inception in 1998, and before that time worked in a range of positions across Kent County Council, both at corporate and service level.
Richard has helped create more opportunities for residents
Cllr Howard Doe, Chair of the Appointments Committee, said: “I am delighted with Richard Hicks’ appointment to the role of Chief Executive. Richard’s commitment, energy and passion for Medway have been instrumental in helping to shape Medway in recent years. He brings a wealth of experience from his current role, which under his leadership has seen Medway benefit from a monumental regeneration drive bringing new homes, infrastructure and businesses to Medway.
“He has forged valued partnerships with key stakeholders across Medway, Kent and regionally, and implemented our placemaking initiatives, helping to put Medway on the Map in a meaningful way. He has also been responsible for our drive to put cultural regeneration at the heart of Medway, attracting new creative businesses as well as developing Medway’s tourism offer, creating more opportunities for residents and growing our local economy.
“As Chief Executive, Richard will continue working towards Medway’s commitment of supporting our residents, developing the area as a place to be proud of and maximising the area’s growth."
Medway born and bred
Commenting on his appointment, Richard Hicks said: “I am proud and honoured to have been appointed as Chief Executive of Medway Council. Medway born and bred, I have worked at the council for 25 years and am grateful for the support I have received from members in reaching their decision. Medway is a great place to live, work, learn and visit and, together with outstanding colleagues across the council, and the support and direction of members, I am confident we can make it even more so.”