Talent Bank Expert

Chris Hossack

Specialisms

I specialise in the following areas:

  • Leadership Training
  • Member Development

Chris has 20 years of experience serving in Local Government as an Elected Member. Chris became the Leader of Brentwood Borough Council in 2019 having held leadership roles in all the key portfolio areas including Planning, Housing, Resources and Assets, Audit and Scrutiny, Environment, Community Services, Community Safety and Leisure Services.

Driven by an ambition to deliver during his tenure as Leader, he saw the approval of the Council’s LDP, growth in strategic acquisitions, development of the commercialisation agenda and he led Brentwood BC into a Strategic Partnership with Rochford DC in 2022. He has also been heavily involved in discussions around devolution and partnership working amongst Essex Councils.

He served as a member of the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel, Chaired the Community Safety Partnership and was Chairman of the South Essex Councils Partnership. Chris is an effective communicator with good analytical skills and strong insight into organisational behaviours, politics and people.

Key Strengths/Area of Expertise

  • Political dynamics
  • Policy and procedure
  • Good governance
  • Leadership
  • Effective teams
  • Strategy
  • Delivery
  • All district council portfolio areas including planning, housing, finance and resources
  • Community engagement
  • Member development

Professional Qualifications

  • BSc Management
  • LGA Leadership Academy MInstLM
  • Tech Eng.
  • SFJ Level 4 Fire Safety

Testimonials/Case Studies

Chris was Leader of Brentwood Borough Council when Alliance Leisure partnered to deliver a multi-faceted scheme at King George’s Park. He is innovative, driven, passionate and was fully involved in every aspect from helping to shape the scheme and propelling it forward to its successful conclusion. He is a joy to work with and learn from and I hope our paths cross again.

 Chris recently undertook a Corporate Peer Challenge at our Council – his perceptive, down to earth, straight-talking engagement and assessment was just the ticket. Insightful, approachable and true value!

I recently worked with Chris as part of an LGA Corporate Peer Challenge team. Chris’s local government experience and insight and his ability to identify problems and suggest solutions proved invaluable. Chris is an excellent communicator with a personable, pragmatic style which enables him to get some difficult messages across and land them well. He has excellent focus and drive and proved himself to be real asset to the team, with his good sense of humour helping to lighten the workload. I’d recommend Chris’s strengths to anyone looking to build a strong and effective team.

Chris is great to work with. He was the lead peer on a local government corporate peer challenge in my authority. He brought energy, positivity and warmth which enabled him to provide valuable constructive challenge.

Chris has significant expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications. He uses his extensive experience in local government and politics to advise and support clients that are looking to engage effectively with, and win business from, the public sector.

Chris is a real credit to both the Brentwood council and the wider community alike. I have had the pleasure of working with Chris for several years now and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. His understanding about the need for economic growth and positive change in the Brentwood Borough is notable and he has been a pivotal force in presenting exciting ways to get these plans off of the ground.

Chris is one of the most contentious and compassionate political leaders that I have the good fortune to work alongside. He has an attention to detail and sincerity that is matched only by his ambition for Brentwood and the wider South Essex region. He leads from the front with clear and concise communication, which makes him an extremely effective decision-maker and colleague.

I have had the pleasure of working with Chris in Brentwood Borough Council for six years as a ward colleague and as my group leader.
He has excellent leadership skills and always leads by example. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic. He cares a great deal about the borough and the job he was elected to do. He communication with both officers, councillors and residents is excellent and he is often admired for his honest and down-to-earth approach.

Notable Achievements/Value Added

  • Delivered LDP whilst at Brentwood BC.
  • Delivered multi-million council house building programme
  • Delivered multi million upgrade to leisure facilities including significant capital projects
  • Secured unique partnership with Homes England whilst SEC Chair
  • Significant profitable asset acquisition

Relevant Sector Knowledge

  • Housing
  • Planning
  • Community engagement
  • Assets and Finance
  • Leisure strategy and facilities
  • Leadership and effective administration
  • Strategy setting and delivery
  • Officer & member relationships
  • Scrutiny
  • Governance and constitution
  • Regional government

Training/Coaching Programs/Workshop Offers

  • Strategy setting and delivery
  • Planning
  • Audit & Scrutiny
  • Effective administration
  • Effective opposition
  • Chairing skills
  • Cabinet member development and portfolio leadership
  • Officer/Member relationships
  • Political dynamics (for officers)
  • Leadership mentoring
  • Effective team working
  • Induction for newly elected councillors
  • Economic development
  • Assets
  • Working under NOC and in coalitions
  • Workshop facilitation

LGR Experience & Expertise

Early-stage discussion participation on Essex Devolution and Lead on evolvement of South Essex Councils regional partnership.

Useful Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishossack/

Website  – http://www.lextonconsulting.co.uk