The chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council has announced his retirement after 27 years at the local authority. Pete Bungard first joined the council in 1998 as director of environment, before taking the helm in 2005.
Mr Bungard oversees around 3,000 employees in his role and manages a budget of £650m. He will have held the position for exactly 20 years on the day he retires (May 5).
He said with the county council elections taking place next May, it was “a sensible time” to hand over the reins. He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to have worked for such a fantastic local authority for almost three decades.
“Whilst so much has changed over the years, which in many ways is what has made my time with GCC so enjoyable, one thing has remained consistent: the dedication and hard work of GCC staff. I have been lucky enough to work with so many talented people over the years, all applying their experience and expertise to support Gloucestershire’s diverse communities.”
Mr Bungard has worked under three council leaders – Barry Dare, Mark Hawthorne, and Stephen Davies. He was also the council representative on the University of Gloucestershire’s governing body from May 2012 to 2021 and was a non-executive director of the Government Equalities Office under the previous Labour government.
“I have also been fortunate enough to have enjoyed strong working relationships with each of the leaders I have worked under,” he said. “Without this shared commitment and mutual understanding, the job of chief executive can be very challenging.”
He led the council through the period following the authority’s Children’s Service Ofsted inspection, which he described as “incredibly tough” but said he was “proud of the progress that has been made since”.
“The years of austerity where we had to make massive savings were also incredibly testing but local government is resilient and resourceful and found the best possible way to deliver essential services for Gloucestershire communities,” he added.
“There is so much strength and skill within the council and indeed the wider public sector that I know, whatever the challenge they will, together work to support and protect communities, and build for an ever-stronger Gloucestershire.”
Cllr Stephen Davies, leader of the Council, said: “Although I have only worked closely with Pete for a relatively short period of time, it is clear to me that the strength and depth he has offered the council for so many years will be sorely missed. He has been a great servant of Gloucestershire, and I want to put on record my thanks to him and, when it comes, wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.”
The process to recruit a new chief executive is expected to begin later this month.