Surrey County Council has announced the appointment of Claire Edgar as its new Executive Director for Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships (AWHP). Claire, currently serving as Southampton City Council’s Executive Director of Community Wellbeing, was selected following a rigorous recruitment process and is set to join the council later this year.

A qualified social worker with over 20 years of experience in local government and social care, Claire will assume statutory responsibility for Adult Social Care as part of her new role.

Michael Coughlin, Interim Chief Executive of Surrey County Council, praised the appointment, stating, “Claire is an outstanding appointment who I know will provide the necessary leadership, focus, and commitment for this crucial role. Supporting our vulnerable residents is the bedrock of what we do, and Claire joining us is a further testament to that. I know how passionate she is about providing quality services to those who need them most, and I look forward to seeing her impact here in Surrey.”

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, echoed these sentiments, saying, “It’s fantastic news that Claire is joining us. Claire has a proven track record of looking after the most vulnerable people in society, and her appointment aligns perfectly with our guiding principle to ensure no one in Surrey is left behind. Claire brings with her considerable experience and expertise, and I know she will be a tremendous asset both to our AWHP directorate and to the council as a whole.”

Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Claire Edgar said, “I am delighted to have been appointed to the role. Having spent nearly all my career in adult services, I am passionate about delivering quality services to the most vulnerable people in our communities, as well as giving back to disadvantaged and hard-to-reach groups. In my role as Chair of the National Adult Safeguarding Network, I will also continue to use my national profile in supporting sector leader improvement across local government.”

Claire Edgar’s extensive career includes positions at Sheffield City Council and Wiltshire Council as Director, of Whole Life Pathway (DASS), before moving to Southampton City Council in 2023. Her broad experience and dedication to adult services are expected to significantly benefit Surrey County Council’s efforts to support and protect its most vulnerable residents.