Nina Dawes OBE, Chief Executive of Lichfield District Council, has announced her intention to retire at the end of December 2012.

Nina has been Chief Executive for 11 years and in that time, working alongside councillors and colleagues, she has helped to establish Lichfield District Council’s reputation as a high performing, well run organisation. She is highly regarded within local government nationally and was Chair of the national District Councils’ Network in 2010-2011.

Nina commented: “This has been a difficult decision for me as I love Lichfield District and still feel, as I approach my eleventh year as Chief Executive, that I have been incredibly privileged to have had this role. I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside such dedicated and talented people, both within the council and within local partner organisations.

“However, as I approach my 65th birthday, I realise there comes a time when we need to embrace the next phase of our lives. After some 30 years spent working in local government, each of which I hold dear, I feel the time is right to retire.”

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, commented: “We are very sorry that we won’t have Nina at the helm any more. Her contribution to our district has been exceptional and I know her leadership will leave a lasting legacy for our residents.

“In her time at the council, Nina has overseen many fantastic achievements – ranging from reaching the number one spot in the national recycling charts, and more recently in developing the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail, which has seen the Staffordshire Hoard displayed at venues including Lichfield Cathedral, Stafford Shire Hall and Tamworth Castle, as well as ably leading on difficult issues such as responding to the floods of 2007, for which Nina was deservedly awarded an OBE.

“But, above all this, I think the legacy that Nina will leave behind is her belief that people can do fantastic things and that we’re stronger when we work with others. As a local council, it’s impossible to do it all, and Nina’s dedication to the people who make up Lichfield District Council - councillors and officers, and the partnerships she has been instrumental in building, has made such a difference and delivered real improvements to local services that have touched many people’s lives."