Dr Susan Priest is Chief Executive of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, a role she has held since 2018. She joined the council in 2013 as Corporate Director for Regeneration & Growth, following senior roles at the British Chambers of Commerce, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), and South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) where she led work on business development, economic growth and transition programmes. Her academic research at Cambridge University, supported by the Economic & Social Research Council and the BCC, examined the effectiveness of government policy in supporting business growth and competitiveness. Susan is a strong advocate for growth and public sector reform, including delivery of the council-owned Otterpool Park new town, which will provide up to 10,000 new homes. She has also contributed to national policy debate, including giving evidence to the House of Lords Inquiry on behalf of the Local Councils’ Network. With extensive regional and local government leadership experience, she works closely with elected members, communities and senior public sector partners, and is focused on systems place-based collaboration, innovation and practical reform to deliver better outcomes.