David Hill has been named as the new Chief Executive of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, to replace David Buckle when he retires later this year. 
David is currently chief executive at Humber NHS Foundation Trust and has 18 years of local government experience including six and a half years as a council chief executive and a period as strategic director at South Oxfordshire. The appointment, which was ratified by councillors this week, follows a rigorous selection process involving interviews with panels of stakeholders, leading councillors and senior staff. Cllr Matthew Barber, leader of the Vale, said: “We interviewed a very strong field of candidates, but David stood out as having the passion needed to not only continue delivering excellent and efficient services for our residents, but also to help us drive the change local government in the whole of Oxfordshire needs. I am very much looking forward to working with him.” Cllr John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire, said: “David will be joining the councils at a very exciting time for local government in the county. With the wealth of local government experience and insight he will be bringing to the role along with his previous knowledge of both districts he is without doubt the right person to lead the councils through the challenges we’ll face and to bring further improvements to services. David Hill said: “I am very grateful to both councils for offering me this role at such an important time for both the Vale and South Oxfordshire. Together with my wife, I am looking forward to returning to the area we lived in for many years. There is a huge programme ahead and I am really excited about leading a great team of staff and supporting both sets of councillors.”