New Joint Chief Executive appointed at Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils

The appointment of Pedro Wrobel as the Joint Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council has been approved by both councils.

Guildford Borough Councillors supported the appointment at the Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 19 December 2023. Waverley Borough Councillors have also approved the appointment at their council meeting. Mr Wrobel will replace the current Joint Chief Executive, Tom Horwood, who will leave his post in February 2024.

Pedro joins the post from Westminster City Council, bringing considerable experience to the role. As the Executive Director for Innovation and Change at Westminster City Council, he is responsible for strategy, policy, analysis, communications, transformation and governance, and community engagement. He also oversees culture, events, leisure services, and parks.

He was a civil servant for 20 years, and served as Director of Planning at what is now the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; as Director of the Cabinet Office Systems Unit, as the Cabinet Office’s Head of Profession for Policy; and as Chief Strategy Officer at the Valuation Office Agency. He is also a Policy Fellow at the Cambridge University Centre for Science and Policy.

Pedro will join Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils in Spring 2024.

Leader of Guildford Borough Council, Councillor Julia McShane, said:

“I’m delighted that Pedro Wrobel has accepted the position as our new Joint Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience to our borough, and I look forward to working with him. I’d like to thank the Joint Appointments Committee for its very constructive work during the recruitment process and for recommending Pedro Wrobel for the position of Joint Chief Executive.”

Leader of Waverley Borough Council, Councillor Paul Follows said:

“Last night we were asked to consider the recommendation of the Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils Joint Appointments Committee following its meeting on 14 December 2023. I am delighted to say we supported the recommendation and Pedro Wrobel will be joining as our new Joint Chief Executive from Spring next year. We look forward to welcoming Pedro and congratulate him in this appointment.

Pedro Wrobel, the new Joint Chief Executive for Waverley and Guildford Borough Council said:

“I’m delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive for Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in. As a regular visitor to Guildford and Waverley, the opportunity to lead and bring together two amazing organisations, and to make a positive difference to places I care deeply about, is a real privilege. I want to play my part in making Guildford and Waverley brilliant places to live, work and do business.”