Chief Executive

The Planning Inspectorate

Based at our modern office close to Bristol Temple Meads train station, and with a flexible approach to office attendance.

  • Location Based at our modern office close to Bristol Temple Meads train station, and with a flexible approach to office attendance.
  • Sector Central Government
  • Client The Planning Inspectorate
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration £130,000-£149,000
  • Reference GSe131533
  • Closing Date 5pm on Monday 11 May 2026

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) plays a vital national role at the heart of the UK planning system. We enable sustainable development, support economic growth, and help communities shape the places they live. As an organisation, we are entering an exciting period of modernisation; harnessing digital, data and AI-enabled tools to enhance transparency, timeliness and the quality of our decisions. Our people are highly skilled professionals who take pride in delivering impartial, customer-focused services, underpinned by values of fairness, openness and integrity. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture and are committed to continuous learning, professional excellence and strong public service ethics.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead PINS through the next phase of transformation and service enhancement. This pivotal role is responsible for the strategic direction, operational delivery, and organisational performance of PINS, working closely with the Board and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. The CEO will ensure our services reflect the Government’s ambitious planning reforms and that we remain an effective, modern, customer‑centred organisation. They will lead a highly skilled workforce, drive digital and data modernisation, strengthen system-wide partnerships, and uphold the highest standards of governance as Accounting Officer. This is a nationally significant leadership opportunity to shape how the UK plans, builds and grows; impacting communities across the country for generations to come.

We are seeking an exceptional senior leader with a strong track record of successfully leading organisations or operations of a comparable scale and complexity within a customer‑focused environment. You will bring experience of devising strategy and translating it into effective, deliverable actions that have made a demonstrable impact on organisational performance. Credibility is essential, you will have a proven ability to build long‑term, sustainable partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders and board‑level counterparts across complex, multidisciplinary settings. You will also have significant experience leading transformational change programmes, delivering continuous improvement, and taking colleagues at all levels on a change journey where innovation is encouraged and embraced. Critically, you will bring insight and perspective that adds value to the UK planning system, coupled with the capability to build trusted relationships with subject‑matter experts.

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