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Local Government Stories · July 13 · 1 hr 18 min

Duncan Sharkey

🎧 Ever wondered what it really takes to lead through local government reorganisation? The latest episode of Solace’s Local Government Stories features Duncan Sharkey, Chief Executive of Somerset Council — a leader who’s held the CEX role three times and worked across district, city and unitary councils. He shares clear, hard‑won lessons from taking over a newly formed council after LGR — what’s worked, what’s still a work‑in‑progress, and how to keep teams and places at the heart of change. Duncan also talks candidly about the move from CEX to Corporate Director for a period — why he made that call, what he learned, and how it shaped his growth back into the top role. 🔍 In this episode, we cover: How leadership is about enabling others to succeed Lessons from creating a brand-new council Why culture matters more than structure Leading through uncertainty and crisis The future of local government Enjoyed this episode? Follow #LocalGovernmentStories on Spotify and share it with someone in your network. Learn more about Solace: ⁠⁠⁠solace.org.uk⁠⁠⁠Continue the conversation with us on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/solaceuk/

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🎧 Ever wondered what it really takes to lead through local government reorganisation? The latest episode of Solace’s Local Government Stories features Duncan Sharkey, Chief Executive of Somerset Council — a leader who’s held the CEX role three times and worked across district, city and unitary councils. He shares clear, hard‑won lessons from taking over a newly formed council after LGR — what’s worked, what’s still a work‑in‑progress, and how to keep teams and places at the heart of change. Duncan also talks candidly about the move from CEX to Corporate Director for a period — why he made that call, what he learned, and how it shaped his growth back into the top role.


🔍 In this episode, we cover:

  • How leadership is about enabling others to succeed

  • Lessons from creating a brand-new council
  • Why culture matters more than structure
  • Leading through uncertainty and crisis
  • The future of local government


Enjoyed this episode? Follow #LocalGovernmentStories on Spotify and share it with someone in your network. Learn more about Solace: ⁠⁠⁠solace.org.uk⁠⁠⁠Continue the conversation with us on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/solaceuk/

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