Praise for Hartlepool's 'mother' as chief retires after years of driving town forward

Gill Alexander is retiring following five-years as chief executive.

Now councillors have paid tribute to the work of the outgoing council Chief Executive as she prepares to retire.

Earlier this year, Gill Alexander confirmed she was retiring following five years as Hartlepool Borough Council Chief Executive, however this was delayed following the outbreak of Covid-19.

It was announced at the recent extraordinary meeting of the council following her departure there will be a leadership restructure, with Denise McGuckin becoming Managing Director starting in September.

Following the announcement councillors paid tribute to the work carried out by Ms Alexander during her time working on the council.

Council leader Coun Shane Moore praised her for helping to oversee ‘huge changes’ in Hartlepool and navigate the council through some of ‘the most difficult financial positions they have ever faced.’

He said: “Affectionately known as ‘mother’ by many within the authority, Gill commands a great amount of respect from staff, officers and members alike.

“GIll is well respected on the Tees Valley leadership level and she’s been an incredible advocate for the town on a North East, regional and national basis too.

“On a personal level I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gill on a daily basis for the past 13 months now since taking over as leader of the council.

“I’ve no shame in admitting that her advice, experience, professionalism, and support has been absolutely invaluable for me and I’ll be forever grateful for it.

“We’ve laughed, probably almost cried together, through the ups and downs this past year has thrown at us.

“Gill, thank you for your service to the council, and from the bottom of my heart I thank you for the help, advice and friendship.”

Ms Alexander was Chief Executive for five years on the council, having previously served as the authority’s Director of Child and Adult Services after joining in October 2013.

During her time as Chief Executive Ms Alexander oversaw major investment into the regeneration of Seaton Carew, Church Street and Church Square.

She recently helped secure over £55million to invest in Hartlepool which will deliver new leisure facilities, a film and TV studio and improved cultural venues.

She has worked in the public sector for over 40 years, most of which was in the North East.

She added it had been a ‘huge privilege and honour’ to serve as the council’s Chief Executive.

Coun Brenda Loynes, ceremonial mayor and chair of council, also paid tribute to the outgoing chief executive.

She said: “I would personally like to thank her for her sterling work and dedication to Hartlepool Borough Council.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of members and staff to wish her a long and healthy retirement, and good luck for the future.”

Coun John Tennant added: “Gill has been a great ambassador for the town, and the council, and I want to wish her the absolute best.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.