Knowsley Council has appointed Stephan Van Arendsen as its new Executive Director (Resources). Stephan will replace James Duncan who took over as the Council’s new Chief Executive on 1 February 2025.
Stephan is a qualified accountant with over 30 years’ experience in public services. He joins Knowsley from Sefton Council where he has worked for nearly a decade, most recently as Executive Director of Corporate Services and Commercial. Prior to joining Sefton, Stephan held senior finance positions with Manchester Metropolitan University and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Stephan previously worked for Knowsley Council earlier in his career and is looking forward to returning. He said:
“As someone born and bred in the Borough, I am absolutely delighted to be joining Knowsley Council as an Executive Director. It was here that I first trained and qualified as an Accountant back in the 90s so the idea of returning to where my career began is a really exciting one.
I have seen how much Knowsley has grown and changed in recent years and I feel really privileged to be able to play my part in its future.”
Cllr Jayne Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources said:
“We are really pleased to be welcoming Stephan back to Knowsley Council. As an organisation that prioritises its financial management, this is a crucial appointment for us and we are delighted to have secured the services of someone so experienced and well respected. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Stephan will take up his role in Knowsley at the end of April.