News

Following an extensive selection process, Jan Thurgood and Bernie Topham have been appointed as Policy Directors on the Council’s Management Team.

Jan (45) is currently the Head of Children & Families Services with the Borough of Poole and over the last five and a half years has overseen the transfer of Children’s Social Services to Poole’s during the Borough’s transition to Unitary Authority status in 1997.

During that time Poole’s Children and Families Service has achieved the highest rated educational achievement for looked after young people in the country, exceptional fostering and adoption services and developed an "outstanding" new service for care leavers. In addition, Jan has played a major role in achieving the Chartermark for Poole’s Social Services on two occasions and a national two star rating for Social Services, awarded in August.

Jan, said: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to work as a Policy Director. The Borough of Poole delivers many high quality services to residents and has a workforce highly committed to continuously improving services I am looking forward to having a broader role within a Council which has such a clear vision and commitment to improving the quality of life for all in Poole."

For the last three years, Bernie (41) has been responsible for economic regeneration as Head of Economic Development & Tourism at Portsmouth City Council. During this time, Bernie has been instrumental in the city’s growing economic success, developing the Technopole, a new £4million business and innovation centre designed to support new businesses and bringing shipbuilding back to the dockyard.

In addition Bernie has managed a number of major showcase opportunities and events including promoting the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour and the International Festival of the Sea and overseeing the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race. She also introduced the City Helpdesk which aimed to improve services for the city Council’s customers.

Bernie, said: "I am delighted to be joining the Borough at such an exciting time in the town's development. I have been really impressed both by Poole and by the team at the Council and am greatly looking forward to being able to play my own part in realising the many opportunities that Poole offers."

Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "Again we have had the privilege of recruiting from an exceptionally strong field of candidates. Jan and Bernie demonstrated the skills and drive which are essential to the town and its needs at this crucial stage. Poole is on the brink of some major changes and these appointments will play a major part in making sure we deliver the promises so instrumental to the future of whole community in Poole."

Over 120 applications were received for the vacancies and an all party board of Councillors was involved throughout the intensive recruitment process.

The appointments were ratified at the Borough’s full Council meeting on 17 September 2002.