John Hewitt

John Hewitt was appointed to the role of Chief Executive, Durham County Council in December 2020 having previously been Corporate Director with responsibility for Resources at the council.

Prior to moving to Durham County Council in 2016, he was Corporate Director of Resources at South Tyneside Council, Deputy Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Head of Finance with Durham Constabulary, Head of Finance with Cleveland Police and an Accountant with Sedgefield Borough Council.

John is responsible for the strategic management of the council, which has a gross expenditure budget of nearly £1.4 billion. Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East and the seventh largest in the UK.

John is passionate about County Durham having been brought up in the area and has spent his entire working life in the region. He is focused on finding ways to improve Local Communities and to help people find sustainable employment in the County.

John is currently overseeing the economic development of County Durham, with billions of pounds being invested in the county across the private and public sectors. John has also been responsible for leading change within the council with a focus on residents and businesses and outcome focused working. John is also leading on devolution across the region and is lead for Culture, Tourism and Sport and how this is developed across the North East. The visitor economy has recently topped £1 billion in the county and John is keen to further develop the unique cultural heritage that exists in the county and the region.