Assistant Chief Executive to leave West Northamptonshire Council
27 June 2025
Councillors from across the Chamber applauded Rebecca Purnell, West Northamptonshire Council’s Assistant Chief Executive at last night’s full council meeting for her outstanding service to the authority in her final Council meeting before she leaves at the end of July.
Rebecca has had a wide and varied remit across many areas, initiatives and Council partnerships. She has been an integral part of the council’s Executive Leadership Team since joining in January 2020, working with colleagues, councillors and partners to support the successful creation of the Council, the covid response, the continued journey of improvement for children’s services and the delivery of over £115 million of savings whilst improving services for residents.
Rebecca has led on initiatives including equalities and staff networks and has helped to build a new organisational culture, with the Local Government Association (LGA) peer review recognising the ‘positive culture’ and ‘tangible upbeat energy’ of staff, saying colleagues took a ‘thoughtful people-centred approach’ to engaging with residents and external partner organisations and describing relationships with the Council as ‘the best they have ever been’.
“Rebecca has been terrific, her service has been a constant for us over the last five years and we thank her for all her hard work and dedication including her exemplary support for armed forces, securing our gold award in the Ministry of Defence employer recognition scheme.”Council Chairman Councillor Alison Eastwood
“As a West Northamptonshire resident, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of the successful Local Government Reform in Northamptonshire. I’m so proud of our brilliant team and everything we have achieved together.”Assistant Chief Executive Rebecca Purnell
“Rebecca has been instrumental in our Local Government Reform journey and our first term as a new council. She has been a huge support to me personally and in helping support our Cabinet and members through many key strategic initiatives and day to day challenges.Chief Executive Anna Earnshaw
“Rebecca will be missed by us all, and whilst we are sorry to see her go, we give her our very best wishes for the future and the exciting new opportunities that I know lay ahead of her.”