Chief Executive Matt Prosser to leave Dorset Council

The Chief Executive of Dorset Council Matt Prosser has announced that he will be leaving the council in spring 2025 for a new role as Chief Executive of Wellington City Council in New Zealand.

Matt has led Dorset Council for the six years since he was appointed to the role in October 2018, ahead of the council’s formation in 2019. Matt previously led Dorset Councils Partnership (comprised of North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council).

Matt leaves a strong legacy in Dorset. Under his leadership, the council:

• Formed as a new unitary authority, replacing 6 district and borough councils and the county council
• Made savings of over £96m during the first 5 years which were reinvested to protect frontline services
• Secured a ‘Good with Outstanding Leadership’ Ofsted rating for children’s services
• Successfully retrofitted over 200 council buildings (including schools, libraries, leisure centres, offices, depots, and care homes) with energy-saving measures, reducing the council’s energy bills by over £1million a year
• Became the top unitary council in the country for recycling, with 59% of the waste recycled
• Supported Dorset residents through the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis
• Supported over 1000 Ukrainian refugees through the ‘Dorset Together’ network
• Secured £19.5 million of Levelling Up funding to regenerate Weymouth's waterside economy
• Was selected by government as one of only three local authorities nationally to take part in the first wave of the Families First for Children Pathfinder, pioneering reforms in family support and child protection
• Reduced homeless cases by almost 50% through early intervention and support.

Matt Prosser said:

“I have served this fantastic place for over eleven years, and it has been a challenging but highly rewarding experience.

“The most satisfying aspect of my role, and the way we have achieved what we have, is through collaboration with councillors, colleagues, partners and residents. I want to thank everyone for their contribution; it has been great to work with you all, and I’m sure our strong culture of partnership will continue.

“My wife and I have always wanted to have the opportunity to live and work abroad. I am hugely looking forward to my new role at Wellington City Council. There will be much to learn and, I hope, much I can bring.

“Dorset is wonderful place and has a bright future ahead. I wish all the very best for my successor.”

The Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Nick Ireland, said:

“Matt is an outstanding chief executive who has worked incredibly hard in his time at Dorset with our members, officers, and partners.

“I would like to personally thank Matt for his contribution. Thanks to the leadership team he has built and the way we work productively with partners, Dorset Council will be in good hands going forward.”

A recruitment process will begin shortly to find Matt’s successor.