Sophie Broadfield, B&NES Council’s Director of Sustainable Communities, has been recommended to replace outgoing Chief Executive Will Godfrey.
Sophie Broadfield | Photo © B&NES Council
The local authority will be recommending to a meeting of the full council on 20th November that Ms Broadfield is appointed as the next Chief Executive.
She will replace Will Godfrey, who is retiring at the end of December after six years of service to the council and 39 years of service in local government.
Sophie brings extensive experience of working at a senior level within local government and the Civil Service.
She has been B&NES Director of Sustainable Communities since 2021; prior to that she was a Deputy Director at DEFRA and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, and in a number of other senior civil service roles.
Sophie has worked extensively across the region, leading the reset of the council’s Local Plan, securing investment for transport and travel in the region from the West of England Combined Authority as well as £20 million investment from the Pride in Place programme for Twerton.
The council will confirm, in due course, plans for recruitment into the Executive Director role.
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I would like to thank Will for his hard work and dedication to the council and welcome the recommendation being made to full Council for Sophie’s appointment.
“Sophie’s strategic experience in making the area a better place for people to live, work, and visit and leading large-scale transformation and organisational culture change fits well with our ambitious plans for Bath and North East Somerset.
“She will continue to lead the council’s work to build a fair, green, creative and connected place where we help to improve people’s lives.”
Sophie added: “I’m delighted to be appointed Chief Executive of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
“This is a wonderful place, and I feel incredibly lucky to call it home. I’m looking forward to working with our brilliant colleagues, councillors and partners to make a positive difference for people right across our communities.”
Sophie will take up the position on 1st January 2026, subject to her appointment being approved on 20th November 2025.
