New CEO announced for Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes

The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire Council has announced their new CEO, who will be taking the position over from current CEO Tim Clynch on October 12. Nicole Gibbs has been selected as the Shire’s next CEO after months of searching and interviewing, with a recruitment process that saw the council receive 49 applications for the position. Ms Gibbs is currently the CEO of the Shire of Quairading. She will take over for Mr Clynch, who will continue as CEO until September 4, before being replaced by an acting CEO until Ms Gibbs’ employment starts a little over a month later. The change in CEO comes after changes to the Local Government Act, according to Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire president Jenny Mountford. “With the changes to the Act, we were required to advertise the position, and we employed a consultant and went through a process that took a couple of months,” she said. Ms Gibbs has worked at high level positions for 12 years across several sectors, including mental health, aged care, children in care, drug and alcohol, disability and prison reform. “Nicole has had broad experience, including currently being the CEO of a Shire in the Wheatbelt region, as well as experience in the nonprofit, State Government and with mental health, aged care and prison sectors,” Ms Mountford said. “A lot we found out about her during her application was relevant and we saw she had a lot of experience in areas we’re hoping to change and improve.” She also project managed a national social housing stimulus package at the Department of Housing and also served as director of Aboriginal Housing Services for that same department. Ms Mountford said she believed Ms Gibbs would be a good fit for the Bridgetown-Greenbushes community. “We need someone who is capable and compassionate to take on this role and to be empathetic of the community, and I believe she has those characteristics, which is pleasing to see.” She commended current Mr Clynch for his two decades of work with the Shire council and thanked him for his service to the Bridgetown-Greenbushes community. “We are grateful for Tim Clynch and his service as CEO for over 20 years, and we wish him well for what comes next for him.”