Centrally Local

2 December 2025

New Local chief executive Jessica Studdert is leaving the think tank to work at 10 Downing Street.

Studdert will become a special adviser to the Prime Minister, leading on local government and devolution in the No. 10 Policy Unit. She brings a decade of local government policy experience in to the role amid devolution and reorganisation of councils across England.

Anna Randle has been appointed interim chief executive of New Local while the think tank searches for a successor.

Studdert said: “It has been an absolute privilege to have led New Local, an organisation that plays a unique role as a think tank working alongside its network of innovative local authorities. I am really proud of the progress we have made putting community power and place-based reform on the agenda.

“New Local has an exceptional team and with Anna Randle now joining as Interim Chief Executive, the organisation will continue to go from strength to strength.”