LGNSW announces new chief executive

Scott Phillips

Former Chief Executive and 20-year local government veteran Scott Phillips has been appointed to head Local Government NSW (LGNSW), the peak body announced today.

LGNSW President Linda Scott said she was delighted to welcome Mr Phillips, who will take up the full-time role as Chief Executive from July 6.

“Scott is a highly regarded local government executive who brings a wealth of experience to the table,” Cr Scott said.

“He served as Chief Executive of Sutherland Shire Council from 2015-18, heading up 1800 employees and managing an annual operating budget of some $250 million.

“Prior to his time at Sutherland Shire, Scott served as Chief Executive at Hornsby Shire Council, where he was appointed Chief Executive in 2011 after three years as Director of Planning.

“His track record in developing and leading high-performing and multi-disciplinary teams, his commitment to a strong workplace culture and his wealth of operational experience make him a strong fit for a peak body dedicated to serving as the voice of councils right across NSW.”

Mr Phillips is currently filling a locum position at Uralla Shire Council until the arrival of that council’s new General Manager, Kate Jessep.

He will take the reins from LGNSW’s Acting Chief Executive Kylie Yates, who stepped into the role on a temporary basis in 2019.

“Under Kylie’s outstanding leadership as both Director of Advocacy and acting Chief Executive, LGNSW delivered record achievements for NSW councils,” Cr Scott said.

“Kylie’s approach transformed the organisation and was instrumental in securing a historic $60 million funding increase for public libraries, $40 million to offset increases in councils’ emergency services levies, and $200 million in Covid-19 stimulus funding.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire LGNSW staff, I thank Kylie for her superlative work on behalf of local government in this state.

“She leaves with our immense gratitude, best wishes, and absolute confidence she will continue to deliver the same quality leadership and success wherever she chooses to continue her career.”

Mr Phillips said he was looking forward to meeting the full LGNSW team in Sydney in the new financial year.

“It’s such a critical time for local government, with councils across NSW working hard to drive a locally-led recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to building on the organisation’s work to date, whether that be in the advocacy area or through LGNSW’s other services to councils, including industrial relations, legal advice and training and professional development.

“Until now, my experience with LGNSW has been as a member of the peak body and I see that as a complement to the existing expertise and commitment to local government shared by the Board and staff.”

/Public Release. View in full here.