Wakefield Council has appointed a new Corporate Director for Resources to help with the drive to be a more modern and efficient Council.

Natalie Palmer has been Interim Service Director for Property, Facilities, Health, and Safety (PFHS) since September 2023. In that role she has been instrumental in changing the Council’s property and facilities management services.

Natalie brings experience from across the public and private sector in Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer roles. She has significant knowledge across housing, education, health, and social care. And has commercial, transformational, and operational performance expertise.

Prior to joining Wakefield Council, she was Chief Operating and Finance Officer for Multi Academy Trust in Lincolnshire, with direct responsibility for all aspects of Finance, Procurement, Health and Safety, Estates and Property Management, HR, ICT and Risk Management.

Commenting on the appointment, Council Leader Councillor Denise Jeffery said:

“I am delighted that Natalie has been appointed as our new Corporate Director for Resources, with the opportunity to build on the impact she’s already had in Wakefield."

“She has been instrumental in driving forward important changes to our property and facilities management services. I am confident she will go on to improve and modernise our corporate services.”

Wakefield Council’s Service Director for HR, Jill Clayton, said: “I am pleased to welcome Natalie to our senior management team."

“Natalie has already shown great leadership since she joined the Council, and I’m sure she’ll do the same to make sure our corporate team provide the highest levels of service to our residents and our colleagues.”

Natalie Palmer said: “I’m excited to have this opportunity to lead our corporate services function through a significant period of change at the Council."

“Outstanding corporate services help to provide exceptional outcomes for residents, and I’ll be working every day to make sure that we continue to deliver for everyone who relies on us."

“Wakefield already has some fantastic people, and together I’m looking forward to making the district an even better place to live, work, visit and study.”

The appointment comes following the creation of the resources directorate in June this year. Suzan Harrington has been acting as Interim Corporate Director while recruitment took place. This role will lead core corporate services, like legal, HR, tech, and finance, as well as the property, facilities, health, and safety service.