New Chief Executive selected for West Northamptonshire Council
21 July 2026
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has selected Martin Henry as its new Chief Executive following a rigorous recruitment process this summer.
His appointment is subject to approval at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday, 13 August.
Martin, who is the Council’s Executive Director for Resources, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, has been acting as the Interim Chief Executive since October last year following the departure of previous Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw.
Having joined WNC from the beginning as Finance Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Martin has played an integral role in shaping the young unitary council, driving forward service improvements and efficiencies and navigating the authority’s significant financial challenges.
With extensive leadership experience in local government spanning more than 30 years, Martin has previously held roles at every type of local authority and at several authorities across Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. Martin also worked previously at the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, and in the private sector as director at Capita.
Martin takes the reins as the Council heads into its next chapter, with a focus on key priorities including accelerating place-shaping and regeneration to drive economic growth and investment, major service transformation including the in-house transition of housing and waste services and maintaining financial sustainability in the challenging public sector environment.
Martin has been selected for the role by the Council’s Senior Appointments Committee, which is formed of senior councillors from across political groups. The Committee was initially unable to find the right candidate for the role during the first recruitment round in December, so the approach was refocused and a second, national, rigorous and competitive selection process took place June and July.
Councillor Mark Arnull, Leader of the Council, said: “I am delighted that Martin has been selected as our new Chief Executive. His leadership over the past eight months has already ensured stability and significant improvements across the organisation
“We received a real breadth of strong and high quality applications during this second round of recruitment and were pleased to see Martin’s application among them. Having carefully interviewed and considered a strong field of candidates, the Committee was clear in its decision that Martin was the ideal choice to lead the Council into its next chapter.”
“Moving forward our focus is firmly on place leadership – working with communities, partners and businesses to shape a stronger future for the area. With a proven track record, deep understanding of the organisation and a passion for West Northamptonshire, Martin is ideally placed to lead us on this journey.”
Martin Henry said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to be selected as Chief Executive for a Council and a place that I care so deeply and passionately about. West Northamptonshire is where I went to school, is my home and my community, and I will be tireless in my work and commitment to improving outcomes wherever possible for everyone living and working here.
“There are exciting and ambitious times ahead for West Northamptonshire and, working with our partners and communities I will hit the ground running as we move into this next crucial chapter for our Council.”
Martin Henry’s appointment as WNC’s new Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service will be subject to approval at the Extraordinary meeting of Full Council, which will take place in the Guildhall, Northampton on Thursday, 13 August at 5pm.