Gloucestershire County Council’s chief executive Pete Bungard is to retire next May.

Mr Bungard announced his retirement after 27 years working at the authority in the council chamber at Shire Hall today (November 6).

He first joined the council in 1998 as environment director and took up the top job on May 5, 2005 meaning he will have held the role for 20 years on the day he retires.

He told councillors that he had originally planned to retire at 65 in August next year but he felt that with the county council elections taking place next May was a sensible time to hand over the reins to someone new.

This would allow the new chief executive to build relationships with the new and returning councillors from the start of their term.

Mr Bungard has led the council through many challenges including the time following the council’s Children’s Service being placed in special measures, the period from 2010 when local government was asked to make massive savings and more recently the Covid-19 global pandemic.

He has worked under three council leaders, firstly Barry Dare and then 14 years with Mark Hawthorne, and more recently with Stephen Davies.

An important part of being Chief Executive is building relationships, both within the organisation but also beyond it.

Over the years he has carried out many Local Government Association corporate peer challenges, taking his skills and experiences to other councils across the country, but also learning from them and bringing best practice back to the county, according to the council.

Mr Bungard was also the council representative on the University of Gloucestershire’s governing body from May 2012 to summer of 2021 and had the privilege, under the previous Labour Government to have been a non-executive director of the Government Equalities Office.

He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to have worked for such a fantastic local authority for almost three decades.

"Whilst so much has changed over the years, which in many ways is what has made my time with GCC so enjoyable, one thing has remained consistent: the dedication and hard work of GCC staff.

“I have been lucky enough to work with so many talented people over the years, all applying their experience and expertise to support Gloucestershire’s diverse communities.

"I have also been fortunate enough to have enjoyed strong working relationships with each of the Leaders I have worked under.

"Without this shared commitment and mutual understanding, the job of Chief Executive can be very challenging.

“Whilst the time immediately after the Children’s Service Ofsted inspection was incredibly tough, I am so proud of the progress that has been made since and the clear plan that is in place to make sure things continue in the right direction.

"The years of austerity where we had to make massive savings were also incredibly testing but local government is resilient and resourceful and found the best possible way to deliver essential services for Gloucestershire communities.

“There is so much strength and skill within the council and indeed the wider public sector that I know, whatever the challenge they will, together work to support and protect communities, and build for an ever-stronger Gloucestershire.”

Council leader Stephen Davies (C, Hardwicke and Severn) said: “Although I have only worked closely with Pete for a relatively short period of time, it is clear to me that the strength and depth he has offered the council for so many years will be sorely missed.

“He has been a great servant of Gloucestershire, and I want to put on record my thanks to him and, when it comes, wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.”

The process to recruit a new Chief Executive is expected to begin later this month.