Craig Lloyd

MURRINDINDI Shire CEO Craig Lloyd is to become the new Chief Executive Officer at Whittlesea City Council.

Announcements were made by Murrindindi and Whittlesea Councils on Monday afternoon.

Lydia Wilson, Chair of the Panel of Administrators at Whittlesea described Mr Lloyd as a “highly skilled, talented and community-driven CEO”.

Ms Wilson said Mr Lloyd’s community-focused character, depth of local government experience and skills in a multiplicity of technical areas made him the stand-out candidate.

“We were very impressed by Craig’s extensive qualifications and his experience, which extends beyond local government and includes multiple Victorian emergency services agencies,” Ms Wilson said.

“However, it is Craig’s deep commitment to grass roots community engagement and his shared vision that the Panel of Administrators have for this Council to be an exemplar in local government and deliver at a very high level for our community that we were most drawn to.”

Murrindindi Mayor Cr Leigh Dunscombe congratulated Mr Lloyd on the valuable contribution he has made to the communities of Murrindindi Shire.

“On behalf of the Council and our community, I would like to thank Mr Lloyd for his wonderful service to our community and Councillors. I wish him well in his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Whittlesea Council”.

Craig Lloyd will finish with Murrindindi Shire Council on Sunday, October 11. Acting arrangements are to be advised.

He will begin his duties at Whittlesea City Council on Monday, October 12.

Lydia Wilson, Chair of the Panel of Administrators at Whittlesea Council, said: ““We very much look forward to welcoming Craig to the City of Whittlesea and introducing him to our community.”

Mr Lloyd holds a Masters of Business Administration, a Post Graduate Certificate in Community Development (Emergency Management) and a Masters of Project Management.

He has also completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and undertaken the Local Government Professionals Executive Leadership Program.

Mr Lloyd has an extensive background in leadership and management roles and is skilled in many facets of local government such as community engagement, environment, economic development, emergency management and IT.

Mr Lloyd has extensive senior executive experience in the public sector, including roles with state and local government, emergency services and not-for profit organisations.

In addition to his busy role as CEO, he is on the board of the Bendigo Cemeteries Trust (Remembrance Parks Central Victoria), and Board Member of Regional Development Australia (Hume Region).

Outside of work he is a country music artist and is a Graduate of the Country Music Association of Australia’s Country Music Academy.
He is married and has two children.

Whittlesea Interim CEO Joe Carbone will remain at Council for a short time after Mr Lloyd arrives to provide a seamless transition.

“The Panel of Administrators would like to sincerely thank Joe for his leadership over the past six months,” Ms Wilson said.

“Joe did not apply for the permanent CEO role as he will return to his consulting business and directorship positions.

“I would personally like to thank Joe for his stable guidance during what was a significant period of change at the start of his tenure in March 2020.

“Since then he has put in a huge amount of time, effort and energy into leading this organisation and our community through the COVID-19 pandemic and in supporting myself and the Panel of Administrators.”
Murrindindi Shire Council thanked Mr Lloyd for his service to our community over the past 2½ years.

“Mr Lloyd has played an instrumental role in supporting our community through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the 10 th Anniversary of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires,” said a Murrindindi Council representative.

“Mr Lloyd has led a significant positive culture change within Council and has been a strong advocate for additional State and Federal funding.
“He also helped guide the Council through considerable reform and modernisation, with a particular focus on improving customer service and improving community engagement.

“Additionally, Mr Lloyd has driven significant financial and capital works efficiencies within Council.”

Mr Lloyd made a statement this week about Murrindindi Council:
“I would like to thank our wonderful staff for the amazing work that they do every day of the week, to serve communities across the Shire with passion, expertise and dedication, as well as their resilience during the pandemic. 

“I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to our Councillors, and the three Mayors I have served under for their support, commitment to community and friendship.

“Finally, I would like to thank our community for their incredible support.”

Mr Lloyd finishes with Murrindindi Shire Council on Sunday, October 11, and starts at Whittlesea City Council on Monday, October 12.