Former Cambridge mayor named Nedlands CEO

Ousted Town of Cambridge mayor Keri Shannon has been named the next chief executive at the City of Nedlands, bringing an end to the months-long search for the role.

The city today announced Ms Shannon’s appointment for a five-year term.

Ms Shannon was the mayor at the Town of Cambridge from 2015 until 2023, succeeded by Gary Mack.

Mr Mack received 1,359 first preference votes to Ms Shannon’s 1,151 at the local government elections in October.

Ms Shannon’s appointment as Nedlands chief executive comes months after Bill Parker resigned from the role in December.

"I am looking forward to working with the council to deliver the community’s vision for the City of Nedlands,” Ms Shannon said.

“This is an exciting opportunity to refocus the City of Nedlands organisation, and it will be a privilege to support the council, its ratepayers, and the staff through this period.”

City of Nedlands mayor Fiona Argyle, who was the chair of the selection and recruitment committee, said Ms Shannon was the best person for the job out of the 108 applicants.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the City of Nedlands. I believe Ms Shannon will thrive as the CEO and I wish her all the best,” she said.

Ms Argyle said Ms Shannon was the first woman to hold the role as chief executive in the city's history.

The city has been searching for a permanent chief executive since Mr Parker announced his resignation in early August, with his last day being December 1.

Mr Parker took up the role of chief executive at the City of Wanneroo.

The city's planning and development director Tony Free has been acting chief executive since December.

Both the City of Nedlands and Town of Cambridge have made headlines in the past few years, with the western suburbs councils butting heads with the state government over major decisions.