News: New CEO appointed

Council President Barb Shaw weclomes the new CEO Marion Smith.

Posted: Friday, 19 February 2016

Barkly Regional Council (BRC) President Barb Shaw announced this week that Marion Smith has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the council.
Ms Smith, who is scheduled to take up her post in mid March, has been with the Roper Gulf Regional Council as Director Communities Services, covering maternity leave for seven months.
Previously, she was Group Manager for Thames-Coromandel District Council in New Zealand for three years and has worked in local government for the last 20 years.
In announcing the appointment, President Shaw said: “Marion has a unique set of skills, experience and personal attributes ideally suited to BRC at this time.
“She is familiar with the Northern Territory and offers strong and steady leadership in a time where there has been much upheaval.
“I am also grateful to Peter Holt and Allan McGill for their work as interim CEOs. Both brought extensive experience and skill from the local government sector and Marion will bring a fresh insight into the business of council.”
Ms Smith said she was excited by the opportunity to lead BRC. “I am honoured by the appointment and will do my utmost to meet the challenges and expectations associated with this role.
“I have watched this council for a number of years. I came out to the Northern Territory to start my PhD as I had a number of questions about remote living, amalgamations, efficiency and democracy. So when the opportunity came up at Roper Gulf I put my hand up, and since then have changed my questions. I hope to be a catalyst and conduit between council and the community to create new opportunities.
‘It is a privilege to be here this week for the council’s strategic planning meeting. This gives me a preview into the sort of things concerning everyone before I come on board. I hope councillors and staff find me useful as a resource, taking their dreams to an operational level to make it happen.”