Council Chief stands down
Published Thursday 18 September 2025
After long and careful consideration Mark Stone has decided to leave South and Vale as of 30 September 2025. Mark has ably led the councils since July 2017 as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service working with multiple administrations.
Mark played a central role in recruiting and leading the councils’ current senior management team and helped steer the councils through the challenges of the pandemic and the constantly evolving local government landscape over the past decade. The councils, during Mark’s stewardship, have been high performing and low cost across all key service areas, including, housing, waste collection and revenues and benefits, whilst staff development and retention have been exceptional.
Under Mark’s leadership the councils have been able to not only stabilise their financial position but were able to increase investment in the key political priorities of the councils including homelessness prevention, delivery of the authorities own housing stock for the first time in over 25 years and a strong focus was achieved on climate adaption and nature recovery.
Mark has left the councils in a strong position with new council plans in place in both councils with them well positioned to respond to the wider local government environment and in particular the devolution and reorganisation agendas of the present government.
Reflecting on his departure from the councils Mark said:
“It is with great sadness that I leave South and Vale. I have really enjoyed my time leading the two councils, working with so many different elected members and an amazing staff group. There have been numerous challenges over my time at the councils, but I am very proud that we have worked together so effectively, providing first class services for the residents of the districts. As I move on, I would like to wish all councillors and staff, all the very best for the future and I am sure whatever faces local government over the coming months and years you will rise to the challenge.”
Cllr David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Mark is an enthusiastic expert in local government and has an innate ability to see challenges coming and understanding how to navigate them and we will certainly miss his experienced support. He is also a very passionate advocate of the officers he led – with good reason.”
Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “I’ll always be grateful for the support and guidance Mark provided, particularly when I was new in the Leader role – his extensive experience of local government has been highly valuable. We wish Mark the best with what comes next in his career.”
