Council appoints new Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer

14 August 2026

West Northamptonshire Council has this week appointed its new Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer.

 At the meeting of Full Council on Thursday evening (13 August) Martin Henry was formally confirmed as the unitary authority’s Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, with James Smith appointed to the position of Section 151 Officer. 

Martin was previously the Council’s Executive Director for Resources, Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive and had been acting as the Interim Chief Executive since November last year following the departure of previous Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw. 

James is WNC’s Corporate Director for Finance and Procurement and has served as Deputy Chief Finance Officer since the Council’s creation, playing a key role in the unitary transition. 

Councillor Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “I’m delighted that Martin and James have been appointed to these key leadership roles and reflect the wealth of talent and expertise we have within our Council. 

“Martin has provided exemplary leadership since the Council was created, most recently in the interim chief executive role, while James has also been instrumental in strengthening the Council’s financial stewardship and supporting our long-term sustainability. I look forward to working closely with them as we take the Council forward into its next chapter.” 

Recruitment to the Council’s now-vacant post of Executive Director of Resources is expected to start soon and take place this autumn.