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Two key appointments complete senior team line up at Cambridgeshire County Council

31 March 2023

Cambridgeshire County Council has announced two new senior appointments as it completes work to refocus its senior team entirely on the county - with Martin Purbrick taking up the role of Executive Director for Children, Education and Families, and Patrick Warren-Higgs as Executive Director for Adults, Health and Commissioning.

Martin joins the County Council from Bedford Borough Council where he is the Director of Children’s Services. With more than 24 years’ experience working within Children’s Services and a strong track record of service improvement and innovation, Martin, who is a qualified social worker, has a career which spans roles in the London Boroughs of Sutton, Barnet, Hackney and Haringey as well as with Essex County Council.

In his most recent role in Bedford he oversaw the council becoming only the fourth Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) sector-led improvement partner with the Department for Education, and Ofsted graded ‘outstanding’ children’s homes as well as leading Children’s Services at the council from ‘Requires Improvement’ to an overall ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

Patrick joins Cambridgeshire from Essex County Council, where he is currently Director of Adult Social Care Essex Operations, and deputy to the Statutory Director of Adult Social Services.

Having led the Adult Social Care response to Covid-19 across the whole of Essex, Patrick has worked closely with health partners across the county, helping to significantly reduce the numbers of delayed transfers of vulnerable people from hospital – as well as having been instrumental in the Integrated Care Systems, forming with partners the five Alliances, across Essex; with a focus on locality working and supporting communities in an integrated way. His roles at Essex have also included acting Director of Commissioning, Director of Local Delivery and acting Head of Care.

Patrick, who is also a qualified management accountant, has previously worked in adult social care and community services roles at Doncaster Council.

“I am incredibly happy and proud to be joining Cambridgeshire County Council. I have met many people through the recruitment process all of whom have been passionate about Cambridgeshire and ambitious for the future,” said Martin. “I am really looking forward to starting this new role and working closely with colleagues across the Council along with our schools, local partnerships and most importantly with children and their families to improve outcomes for all our young people.”

“I am delighted to have been offered the role of Executive Director Adults, Health and Commissioning; this is an exciting time to join Cambridgeshire and the Adults team, and I am looking forward to meeting the whole team, working closely with Stephen and corporate colleagues, along with system partners, to make a real difference to the lives of the citizens of the county,” confirmed Patrick.

“One of the most important things we do as a council is to provide services for children, young people and their families, and for older people and vulnerable adults,” said Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of the Council. “I am very pleased that elected Members on our cross-party staffing and appeals committee were unanimous in their appointment of both Martin and Patrick – and that we will be able to benefit from their considerable experience, knowledge, and skills.”

“Appointing to these roles marks a significant step forward for Cambridgeshire County Council as we focus our children’s social care, education, adult social services and commissioning teams fully on the needs of Cambridgeshire. Both roles lead some of our most important services so it’s essential that they have the best possible leadership. I am confident that both Martin and Patrick will bring exactly what we need as our new Executive Directors to further strengthen and improve these critical services, working with our partner organisations. Their appointments will also complete my Leadership Team and will help embed the compassionate and inclusive culture we’re building within the Council, I’m really looking forward to both Martin and Patrick joining us,” said Stephen Moir, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Chief Executive.

Both Martin and Patrick are expected to join the Council in Summer 2023.