Somerset Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Lizzie Watkin as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and statutory Section 151 Officer following approval by Full Council.
Lizzie Watkin brings extensive experience of local government finance, organisational transformation, governance and strategic leadership. Throughout her career, she has helped councils strengthen financial management, drive improvement and transformation, and deliver sustainable services for residents and communities.
Lizzie joins Somerset Council from Wiltshire Council, where she served as Corporate Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer. In that role she was responsible for a broad portfolio of services, including finance, procurement, digital, asset management and transformation.
Lizzie also has strong links to Somerset, having previously worked for Somerset County Council as Strategic Finance Manager and Deputy Section 151 Officer. She has also held finance leadership roles at Taunton Deane Borough Council and South Somerset District Council.
Her appointment comes at an important time for Somerset Council as it continues to strengthen its financial resilience, deliver improvement programmes and drive forward its transformation ambitions. The Council has been clear about the challenges facing local government and the need to ensure long-term financial sustainability while continuing to deliver services for residents.
The Chief Financial Officer plays a critical statutory and strategic role in supporting that work by ensuring the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs and providing professional financial leadership across the organisation.
Deputy Leader of Somerset Council, Liz Leyshon, who is Lead Member for Finance, said:
We’re delighted to welcome Lizzie back to Somerset. She brings significant experience, a strong track record of financial leadership and a deep understanding of both Somerset and local government.
As we continue to drive improvement, transformation and long-term financial sustainability, Lizzie’s expertise will be invaluable in helping us build on the progress already being made and ensuring we continue to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.
I would also like to thank Interim Chief Financial Officer and Section 151 Officer, Clive Heaphy, for his leadership, expertise and support over the past year. Since joining Somerset Council, Clive has provided vital financial leadership during a challenging period, helping to strengthen the Council’s financial management arrangements and supporting the organisation’s wider improvement and transformation work.
Lizzie Watkin will formally take on the Section 151 role from 31 July.
