A former chief executive of the Falkland Islands government has been appointed interim deputy chief executive at Cornwall Council. The move comes after the current chief executive went on a sudden leave of absence last week.
Rumours spread through Lys Kernow (County Hall) in Truro last week when chief executive Kate Kennally was nowhere to be seen. On Friday, the council confirmed she was on a leave of absence and interim leadership arrangements were being put in place.
Since then, those in the know have stayed tight-lipped about the reasons for her absence. Most councillors we spoke to had not been told why she is no longer at her desk. Many said they first learned about it when they read CornwallLive's story.
The interim arrangements were discussed in private at a meeting of the Chief Officers' Employment Committee on Wednesday, September 9. We understand the meeting covered the process of finding interim leadership, not the reasons for Ms Kennally's absence.
Andy Keeling has been appointed interim deputy chief executive. He was chief executive of the Falkland Islands government from 2021 to 2025, and previously served as chief operating officer at Leicester City Council from 2008 to 2024. He takes up the Cornwall Council role on Monday, September 14.
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Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said: "Andy brings a wealth of experience from senior positions in local government and will provide valuable leadership at an important time for the council. We are grateful to him for stepping into the role at such short notice."
A spokesperson for the council told us last week: "The chief executive is currently on a leave of absence. This is an important period for the council, with the upcoming budget and other key priorities to deliver, and so interim leadership arrangements are being put in place."
Ms Kennally has been chief executive at Cornwall Council since January 11, 2016. Before that she was strategic director for commissioning and deputy chief executive at the London Borough of Barnet. She is the highest earner at Cornwall Council, with a base salary of £201,661, rising to £239,479 including pension and expenses, according to the TaxPayers' Alliance Town Hall Rich List 2026.
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Ex-Falklands Chief Executive Takes Interim Cornwall Role