Socitm Chief Executive resigns as Society sets new course following corporate review

Kate will resign as Chief Executive with immediate effect, but continue in a consultative role until the end of March. Her move comes as Socitm is completing the first phase of a corporate review launched towards the end of last year. The review, which is supported by consultants KPMG, follows a series of other reviews conducted during 2007 to shape the Society's activities for its next stage of development.

Kate's timing will allow the Society to put in place new management arrangements appropriate to the outcome of the review process. The Society is in a period of intense change stimulated by the growing importance of ICT within the public sector efficiency and customer service agendas, a tightening public sector financial climate, and support for the Government initiative to create a public sector IT profession.

Kate Mountain joined Socitm as Chief Executive in 2002 following a career in public sector IT that has included being Head of IT for Liverpool City Council and Oxford City Council and working as a consultant for local authorities. Kate is a former President of Socitm (1990/91). Commenting on her resignation from Socitm she said: 'It has been my intention for a while to move to a new challenge but I was keen to see the service review programme substantially complete and now that the corporate services review is in full swing I feel it to be an appropriate time to go.'

Paying tribute to Kate's achievements as Chief Executive, President Rose Crozier said: 'During Kate's tenure the Society has seen a significant increase in membership, services and activity, and also in Socitm's influence on national policy for local and central government IT. Socitm has members in 95% of all local authorities and significant membership in fire, police and other local public services.  Socitm now influences across local and central government on issues of both policy and delivery. Brands such IT Trends, Better Connected and the Application Software Index are increasingly well known and well used. In addition, Socitm Consulting has developed into one of the leading providers of e-government and ICT consultancy services to local government. In overseeing these developments, Kate has brought huge personal commitment to the job. The Society has much to thank her for and she will be much missed.'

The review aims to identify what services the Society should provide and how they can be efficiently and effectively delivered. Initial findings, which have been considered at a workshop for National Council members on January 11, reveal a strong degree of consensus on many of the issues and some clear directions on the way forward.

Socitm aims to complete the corporate review, including decisions on new management arrangements, by the end of March. In the interim, Socitm's Policy Officer Adrian Hancock, assisted by KPMG - will maintain a watching-brief, with the active support of Socitm's Presidential Team.

Further information:

Rose Crozier, President          
Tel: 028 9084 3981  rose.crozier@socitm.gov.uk

Vicky Sargent or Peter Coates, Socitm Press Office      
Tel: 0845 094 5641 vicky.sargent@socitm.gov.uk or peter.coates@socitm.gov.uk