Meet Our People
Name & Job Title
Jade Bateman – Advanced Apprentice in Business Administration 
How long have your worked at the council?
10 Months
Describe your main responsibilities
• Taking recruitment messages
• Sending out Job packs to Internal/External applicants
• Scanning and indexing documents for the electronic filing system
• Type letters and meeting notes
• Processing invoices and orders
• Maintaining training diary
• Answering phones taking general enquiries
• Input and retrieve information on computer systems
• Process online applications
• Deal with incoming and outgoing emails
• Updating HR intranet site
What attracted you to the role?
I was attracted to this role as I was able to continue gaining qualifications whilst working full time experiencing a working HR environment.
Favourite landmark in Exeter?
The Quay because it’s a nice place to go for a drink and something to eat, especially in the summer.
Name & Job Title
David Chadwick, Civic Centre Facilities Manager 
How long have your worked at the council?
Almost 10 years
Describe your main responsibilities
Management of the Civic Centre and provision of support services such as post, catering and maintenance
What attracted you to the role?
Management of the Civic Centre and provision of support services such as post, catering and maintenance The range of responsibilities matched my skills and experience, and the job offered variety and challenge.
What is the best piece of career advice you have been given?
If you don’t look forward to going to work you’re in the wrong job
How does it compare to previous jobs?
Different! Previously I had worked in industry where profit was the driving factor. My driver now is to provide a high level of service within a fixed budget which requires a very different approach.
Name & Job Title
Larry Blackshaw, Benefit Liaison, Promotion & Appeals Officer .jpg)
How long have your worked at the council?
10 years.
Describe your main responsibilities
Liaison with specialist agencies and landlords regarding housing benefits. Promotion of the housing benefit scheme. Dealing with housing benefit appeals on behalf of the authority – both building the case and representing the authority at tribunals. Organising and running forums and focus groups for landlords. Some staff training.
Describe your main responsibilities
Liaison with specialist agencies and landlords regarding housing benefits. Promotion of the housing benefit scheme. Dealing with housing benefit appeals on behalf of the authority – both building the case and representing the authority at tribunals. Organising and running forums and focus groups for landlords. Some staff training. Prior to my role being set up there was no-one in the authority doing the job and I always felt there should be. The role is varied and I find the legal aspects particularly interesting.
What is the best piece of career advice you have been given?
It was in my first job but still remains the best advice I have received during my career and its to never assume anything!
Name & Job Title
Laura Fricker, Housing Benefit Manager 
How long have your worked at the council?
About 17 years
Describe your main responsibilities
• Providing leadership to the Housing Benefit section.
• Ensuring the service is efficient, cost effective, run in accordance with legislation and customer focussed.
• Overall management of staff including recruitment, development, sickness and discipline and health and safety.
• Exploring and implementing partnership working, representing the Council on internal and external working groups, complaint handling and promoting benefit take-up.
How does it compare to previous jobs?
It comes with much more responsibility and pressure, but offers loads of opportunities, so I love it (most of the time!)
Favourite landmark in Exeter?
Princesshay now. It’s got a great feel to it.
Tell us about the leisure or culture facilities you use in the city
As I live outside the city, I don’t come in much outside of work except to meet friends at restaurants, go to the Comedy Club or for craft fairs and festivals.
Meet our Strategic Management Team
The Council has a Strategic Management Team and service units. If you would like to find out more about our Management structure the link below will identify the various service units and managers responsible for service delivery.
Staffing structure – Who does What