Published: Wednesday, 6th March 2024
Lorraine Gore, Chief Executive of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, has announced that she is to retire later this year.
She has today (Wednesday 6 March) notified staff and councillors that she intends to leave in early September, allowing time for a replacement to be appointed.
Reflecting on her time at the council, Ms Gore said: “It has been a privilege to hold the role of Chief Executive for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, in the area where I grew up and have lived for many years.
“There have been challenges over the years, but our overall shared aim to support and deliver for all our residents to have the best outcomes they can has been one of my key motivators.
“I am proud of the partnership working we have established with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Police, the College of West Anglia, Norfolk County Council and many third-sector organisations, which has made such a difference for people locally.
“I am also proud of the work we have done with King’s Lynn Town Deal Board, which has brought government funding into the borough for major projects, including the School of Nursing, which is a tremendous success story.
“We have faced every challenge head on and continued to deliver services to our communities, working hard to tackle deprivation and isolation and acknowledging the diverse needs of our rural, urban, and coastal communities.”
Ms Gore joined the council’s finance team in 2001, eventually becoming chief executive in 2019.
Since then she has steered the council through a number of global and national events that have impacted on local communities, including COVID, the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
In a borough with strong Royal affiliation the effect of significant Royal events including the Platinum Jubilee and then sad loss of Her Majesty The Queen, and the succession and coronation of His Majesty King Charles has also been felt.
A process of appointing a new Chief Executive will now begin.