Council chief executive to step down

The chief executive of Mansfield District Council has announced she is stepping down from the role in the new year.

Hayley Barsby, who has worked at the council for nearly 22 years, is leaving on 9 January to spend more time with her family.

From starting her working life as an industrial engineer at Mansfield Shoe Group, Barsby moved to the council in 1999 starting as a clerical assistant.

Over the next two decades, she progressed through the ranks to head of housing and director of communities. She became the interim chief executive in May 2017 before being appointed to the role on a permanent basis in January 2018.

She said: “I love Mansfield – both the people and the place and I hope I have made a difference. I will be sad to leave the organisation but I feel the time is right for someone else to take Mansfield to the next level.

“I have dedicated 22 years to Mansfield and the past few years have been challenging, particularly since the start of the pandemic. During my time as Chief Executive I have lost both my parents. My Dad passed away in April and I am still feeling the after-effects of having COVID-19 in the summer.

“Over the years I have made sacrifices for the job, and rightly so, but these life-changing events have made me reassess and I’m now making a conscious decision to put my family first.”

Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Having worked her way up from the bottom to the top, which is inspiring in itself, Hayley has been the font of all knowledge leading Team Mansfield.

“She has been a rock throughout the pandemic, forward-thinking, anticipating problems and ensuring everything is in place to keep our residents and her staff safe, and local businesses protected where possible.

“I will miss her sound and reliable advice and guidance but she has assembled a fantastic team that I have every confidence in to deliver our ambitious plans for the district. The new chief executive will be well placed to pick up the torch and carry on the great foundation Hayley has left and lead our residents to a brighter future.”

No decisions have been made on interim arrangements or the recruitment process, says the council.