Chief Superintendent Paul Phillipson, who is responsible for policing in Peterborough, will take up the role of executive director of operations later this month.

His wide-ranging remit will cover all frontline services except city and children's services, including leisure and culture, planning and neighbourhood engagement and safety.

Mr Phillipson, who has been in the police force for 30 years, said he was relishing the new challenge.

He said: "I'm a Peterborough lad, born and bred. I enjoy working here and it's really important for me to give back to the community I have grown up in.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to move forward into actually delivering into neighbourhoods across the city.

"I hope I have done a lot in the last three and a half years in policing by working closely with cabinet members, councillors and the neighbourhoods.

"I see it as a natural progression from policing into extending the work I do to make the city a safer place to live.

"It is a really wide-ranging role. There are a lot of areas that cross over with the police. It is an opportunity for working together and delivering more and more efficiently.

"We will engage with the communities we work with on a day-to-day basis. I hope we can be more responsive to the thoughts, needs and feelings of people."

He added: "It's a challenge but a real opportunity.

"Only a forward-looking and innovative authority would dare to make this move.

"Some will think it's a risk, but I hope I can prove them wrong."

Chief executive Gillian Beasley said she was delighted with the appointment.

She said: "This provides a great opportunity for continued improved collaborative working between the council and the police service."

The Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police Julie Spence is currently identifying a replacement for Mr Phillipson.

Meanwhile, other changes under the senior management review include:

• Deputy chief executive – Ben Ticehurst.


• Commercial services director – Mike Heath.


• Environment capital director – Trevor Gibson.

Mrs Beasley said that as the council prepared for the future, it was essential that it was in the right shape to deliver on its plans.

She said: "We need to be able to succeed in key areas such as growth and regeneration, and equally as important in improving services and quality of life for our communities and neighbourhoods.

"This isn't just about restructuring, though there are changes. It's also about development."