BETTYGATE - the plot thickens
Phil Mason re-hires him as a Consultant
Cornwall Council’s former £140,000-per-year Strategic Director for Economic Growth, whose formal employment ended only a few weeks ago, is back at Cornwall Council earning hundreds of pounds per day as a freelance consultant (estimated at £999/day or pro rata £260,000pa).
John Betty, who masterminded the council’s champagne-fuelled participation in a south of France property conference (in Cannes) last year, is continuing to work on a major house-building project at Langarth, Truro.
He is also still the council’s representative on the Wave Hub board (tens of millions of £££ spent, but not a KW in sight).
The exact amount of his freelance rate is confidential but the council typically pays around £800 per day for this kind of work. It is not known how long the new arrangement is expected to last.
Mr Betty has been commissioned by his successor, former planning chief Phil Mason, to “finish off” the work on which he was previously engaged. Until September last year, Mr Betty was Mr Mason’s boss (when he first appeared from Bristol as a “consultant” some two years ago).
The council’s cabinet member responsible for economic growth, Bob Egerton, said he was aware of the arrangement and was happy with it (primarily because like him, Mr Betty too is a huge fan of as many new houses across Cornwall as possible, to house absolutely everybody that wants to move here, but not necessarily to home the Cornish themselves?!). He said there were no rules about the council re-hiring former staff as freelances.
The practice of “revolving doors” sometimes causes concern where there have been large redundancy pay-offs or compensation deals. The council said last month there had been no deal in the case of Mr Betty.
Nevertheless the precise nature of Mr Betty’s role at Cornwall Council has been something of a mystery for several months.
Cornwall Reports revealed as long ago as 5th September that he was being replaced by Mr Mason – a fact which, at the time, Cornwall Council denied. Cornwall Council has yet to respond to a number of questions about Mr Betty’s re-appearance.
The upside is, looking at Mr Betty's CV below suggests he never sticks around for much more than 2-3 years...
THE 'GANG OF FOUR' WHO DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT BETTY:
Mason, Egerton, Kennally & Eathorne-Gibbons (pictured).
John Betty oozes self confidence and gives himself a glowing testimonial on Linkedin but they do say that self praise is no recommendation.
John Betty, Bristol
Cornwall Council is working with the private sector to create a sustainable and inclusive economy for CORNWALL
Cornwall Council - London South Bank University
As Director and business owner of Hammonds John is utilising his experience of the Private sector at board level and his period as a Chief Officer in the Public sector to provide support to clients through a consultancy service that is able to contribute to and support the strategic thinking and also concentrates upon delivery.
Hammonds works with clients to create a lean Intelligent Client model and utilises a network of experienced and trusted colleagues to both review the existing capacity and skills ,identify blockages(through project audit ) and embed the systems and processes to enable clear management control and decision making .
Whilst aware of the need to ensure appropriate procurement processes and permissions are in place, the ultimate objective is to deliver capital projects/programmes to agreed time tables and within budget constraints.
A construction and development professional with experience at board level in the Private Sector with 10yrs experience as a Chief Officer in the Public Sector specialising in projects and project programmes John has utilised those skills to achieve significant change management and improvement within the Public Sector and effective delivery performance in the Private sector .
Creating teams and capacity combined with robust systems and controls to ensure reliable delivery.
Advising on and delivery of major city centre developments including retail centres, public realm and major transport infrastructure ,residential developments and commercial schemes.
Hammonds through its network of partners is able to provide expertise in Master Thinking and Master Planning of town and city scape ,strategic input into economic strategies, major infrastructure and transport investment inc high speed rail ,project administration and delivery, commercial management , Regulation,organisational development ,HR and capacity building , dispute resolution, project turnaround ,advocacy and PR,
John Betty Cornwall Council …
Reach out to John
Probono consulting and volunteering, Joining a nonprofit board.
Message John
Experience: Cornwall Council
Company Name: Cornwall Council
Total Duration: 2 yrs 1 mo
Title: Strategic Commercial Growth Advisor
Dates Employed: Oct 2018 – Present
Employment Duration: 7 mos
Location: Truro, United Kingdom
To act as lead negotiator on behalf of the Council in relation to the development of the Councils £600m Investment Programme.
To support the Creation of the Councils “Devco” delivery company concentrating on the 1000 House programme and the Workspace programme
To act as external ambassador and advocate for Cornwall Council’s investment and development programme
To support options for the management of the Commercial Property portfolio to improve portfolio performance
To lead a development plan to strengthen the performance and development of Cornwall’s 3 Enterprise zones
To improve the Councils £800m Capital programme delivery performance through a series of programme management interventions
Title: Strategic Director Economy Growth and Development
Dates Employed: Apr 2017 – Sep 2018
Employment Duration 1 yr 6 mos
Location Truro, United Kingdom
Strategic Director responsible for Planning Transport Housing Economic Development and the CORNWALL Investment Fund.
The Directorate employs c 550 staff
The roll of the Directorate is to guide and stimulate the delivery of the Local Plan the Strategic Economic Plan and to develop the Local Industrial Strategy for the benefit of Cornwall’s residents and businesses
HAMMONDS PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED
Business Owner
Dates Employed: Oct 2015 – Present
Employment Duration 3 yrs 7 mos
Location London, United Kingdom
Hammonds PMS provides consultancy services for clients working or operating in the Built Environment whether Public Sector bodies or private companies .
The business provides a UNIQUE offer of analysis and diagnostic of both technical and behavioural issues within organisations.
Independent Client Advisor Ltd (ICAN): Director
Company Name: Independent Client Advisor Ltd (ICAN)
Dates Employed: Dec 2004 – Present
Employment Duration: 14 yrs 5 mos
Location: Bristol and London
Development and Regeneration consultancy service
PegasusLife: Chief Development Officer
Company Name: PegasusLife
Dates Employed: May 2015 – Oct 2015
Employment Duration: 6 mos
Location: Winchester
"Our plan is to rapidly become the most admired and dominant player within the British retirement sector; achieved through securing quality land , the creation of desirable places to live , and supported by honest and reliable services "
The post is a Board position responsible for the delivery of the companies fast growing development programme.
PegasusLife provides a design lead customer experience for the provision of retirement accommodation . Each developme... See more
Stoke-on-Trent City Council: Interim Director of Place
Company Name: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Dates Employed: Jan 2013 – Apr 2015
Employment Duration: ·2 yrs 4 mos
Location: civic centre stoke on Trent
Interim Director responsible for review of the performance capacity and delivery of the Directorates functions inc
Environmental services ,Green energy, City renewals, Economic development, Planning, Highways, Regeneration and development
Project governance, Project and programme management, City Deal
HS2 alternative proposal, LEP lead, Key Cities lead