Management team

Andy Bates

Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service

The Chief Executive is the head of the Council's paid staff, and the principal advisor to Councillors on policy matters. Andy's role is to ensure that the Council meets its strategies, objectives and responsibilities as efficiently and effectively as possible. He is in charge of making sure that council decisions are implemented. He also provides advice and support to the both of the councils.

Together with his team below, and the council staff, Andy is responsible for developing and improving corporate strategy. He is also in charge of promoting a customer-focused approach that meets the needs of our residents. He works to promote strategic partnerships across Devon and Cornwall, and beyond.

Andy is also the designated Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for the South Hams.

Andy joins us from the Local Government Association, where he was the Regional Lead for the South West since 2013.

Steve Mullineaux

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Customer Service Delivery

Steve leads on service delivery. His role is to improve the customer experience at both councils, by providing efficient services within our budget and other constraints. He has overall management of most of the council's workforce. Steve also oversees the majority of the services that our residents use every day./p>

Steve is also responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders at a local and national level. This might be with neighbouring councils and Devon and Cornwall Police, or the NHS and national Government.

Steve is the designated Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for West Devon.

Previously Steve has worked for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and in the Private Sector with BT. He joined South Hams and West Devon councils in 2015.

Lisa Buckle

Director of Strategic Finance (S151 Officer)

The focus of Lisa's role is to implement the council's financial strategy, and ensure a sustainable financial future for both councils. She is responsible for developing and reviewing the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Lisa also oversees the budget setting process. She ensures that the council's commercial activities are properly assessed and monitored.

In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, she acts as the Section 151 Officer for both councils - a suitably qualified person responsible for the proper administration of its affairs.

Lisa has worked for West Devon Borough Council since 1999, and became Head of Finance and Audit for both Authorities in 2011.

Chris Brook

Director of Place and Enterprise

Chris' role focuses on our communities, including housing, economy and commercial strategies. His role supports the provision of much needed and affordable homes across both South Hams and West Devon. He is responsible for delivering the council's corporate objectives by drawing in external funding to support place-making initiatives. Chris has to do this while balancing the council's business interests with those of local communities.

Chris joined South Hams and West Devon Councils in 2012.

Drew Powell

Director of Strategy and Governance

The success of both councils depends on effective decision-making and committee processes. Drew's role is to make sure that processes and procedures are carried out properly, ethically and lawfully. He needs to make sure that both councils have sound governance in place.

Drew is also the nominated Data Protection Officer as required by the General Data Protection Regulation. This means he has overall responsibility for ensuring that both councils comply with regulations for health and safety, procurement, information governance, Data Protection and Freedom of Information. Drew also oversees the council's risk and opportunities register.

Drew joined South Hams District Council in 2005 as Head of Environmental Health, before taking on the Specialist Manager role for both councils in 2015.