CIPFA has appointed Owen Mapley to be its new Chief Executive Officer. The current Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council will take up the leadership of CIPFA in the coming months, following the retirement of current CEO Rob Whiteman.
Owen brings extensive financial and operational leadership experience from a wide range of senior roles in local and central government, following an initial decade working in professional services with PWC. Owen has also been an NHS Integrated Care System board member for the last five years. With this broad background covering both public and private sector leadership, he is well-positioned to lead CIPFA into its next phase.
Rob will work closely with Owen during the transition period to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities.
Caroline Rassell, President and member of the nominations committee announced Owen’s appointment after an open and extensive recruitment process and the appointment was confirmed by CIPFA Council today. The role attracted a strong pool of candidates, with Owen the outstanding choice to take up the role of Chief Executive.
Caroline Rassell said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Owen Mapley as CIPFA’s next Chief Executive. The panel was impressed by his extensive experience in central and local government, and believe he is the right leader to take over the reins at CIPFA during this exciting period to support our members and our public services.
“I would also like to thank Rob Whiteman again for his dedication and excellent leadership of the Institute over the last 10 years. His knowledge of public finance and accountancy and his advocacy will be missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him and the during his tenure. I know that he is leaving CIPFA in a much stronger position than when he took on the role.”
Owen Mapley said:
“CIPFA plays a unique and vital role at the heart of public service financial management both in this country and globally. I feel both personally and professionally thrilled and honoured to be succeeding Rob who has done so much both for CIPFA and wider public service. I look forward to joining CIPFA to lead its work to pursue sustainable, confident and resilient public services, ensuring public money is well managed for the benefit of us all.”
Rob Whiteman said:
“It has been a huge privilege to lead CIPFA over the last decade and I am proud to leave a modern and effective organisation with a sound financial platform and strong policy voice that has fused our charitable objectives with commercial growth.
“I’m sure CIPFA’s best years lie ahead, and I look forward to seeing it go from success to success under Owen’s stewardship.”
Notes to editor:
Owen Mapley Biography (2024)
Owen was appointed as Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council in January 2019 having spent the previous three years as the council’s Executive Director of Resources and s151/Chief Finance Officer.
Owen moved to local government after spending eight years in the Senior Civil Service, where he held Finance Director roles at the Home Office, HM Courts Service and the Legal Aid Agency.
He spent the first 12 years of his career in professional services with PWC, working with a wide range of private and public sector clients and also qualifying as a chartered accountant.
In addition to his operational responsibilities at HCC, Owen has been a member of his local system’s Integrated Care Board alongside NHS and voluntary sector partners.
Owen has also recently concluded terms as lead local authority Chief Exec for the East of England region and has been the Vice-Chair of the Association of County Chief Executives.
Outside work Owen’s interests focus around family, fair weather road cycling and reading.
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