Jonathan Owen became chief executive in 2014. He is committed to raising the profile of parish and town councils and giving them a strong voice on the national stage. His interest in local government began during his doctoral studies at the University of Bristol. His previous experience includes ten years of national public affairs lobbying in government and parliament, fifteen years at the board level with a prominent London Borough, an English district, and as head of policy at an award-winning county council. He has experience in corporate and frontline service delivery, including leading improvement programmes and delivering savings.