Chief Executive & Senior Leadership Team

Our Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, like all staff employed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, work equally across both Councils.

Arthur Charvonia, Chief Executive

Phone Arthur's Executive Support Officer, Deborah Ling, on 01473 296335

Kathy Nixon, Deputy Chief Executive

Phone Kathy's Executive Support Officer, Sarah Hozier on 01449 724625

Tom Barker, Chief Operating Officer

Phone Tom's Executive Support Officer, Sarah Hozier on 01449 724625

Tom's responsibilities include:

• Human Resources and Organisational Development
• Climate Change and Nature Recovery

Mandeep Bhogil, Interim Director of Housing

Phone Mandeep's Executive Support Officer, Tina Taylor on 01449 724810

Mandeep's responsibilities include:

• Housing Solutions
• Housing Repairs and Maintenance
• Building Safety and Compliance
• Tenant Services
• Housing Transformation

Emily Atack, Director of Property, Development and Regeneration. Managing Director of CIFCO Capital Limited and Gateway 14 Limited

Phone Emily's Executive Personal Assistant, Sarah Ford on 01449 724656

Emily's responsibilities include:

• Development and Strategic Property
• Regeneration and Projects
• The Councils' Companies

Mark Emms, Director of Operations

Phone Mark's Executive Support Officer, Michelle Markwell on 01449 724640

Mark's responsibilities include:

• Public Realm and Parking Services
• Recycling, Waste and Fleet
• Public Protection
• Building Control
• Service Improvement
• Emergency Planning

Melissa Evans, Director of Finance and Procurement

Phone Melissa's Executive Support Officer, Michelle Markwell on 01449 724640

Melissa holds the statutory position of Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and her responsibilities include:

• Commissioning and Procurement
• Finance
• Housing Benefit and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme
• Business Rates and Council Tax

Dee O'Rourke, Director of Place

Phone Dee's Executive Support Officer, Michelle Markwell on 01449 724640

Dee's responsibilities include:

• Economy and Business
• Strategic Planning
• Planning, Heritage and Enforcement
• Communities, Health and Leisure
• Stowmarket Innovation Gateway
• Local Plan

Samantha Lake, Director of Customers, Vulnerabilities and Governance

Phone Samantha's Executive Support Officer, Tina Taylor on 01449 724810

Samantha's responsibilities include:

• Legal Services
• Democratic Services
• Internal Audit
• Customer Services and Complaints
• Digital Transformation and Inclusion

Sara Wilcock, Director of Corporate Services

Phone Sara's Executive Support Officer, Tina Taylor on 01449 724810

Sara's responsibilities include:

• LLPG, Land Charges and Electoral Services
• ICT and Programme Management
• Strategic Policy, Performance, Insight and Risk
• Communications and Engagement

Download our organisational structure chart as a PDF