Derrick 'broke the mould'

摘要

Derrik Hender was a CIPFA accountant and treasurer to Coventry City Council. Hebroke the mould of local government in 1969, when he was appointed Coventry chief executive in succession to Sir Charles Barratt.Until that time, the top job in urban local authorities was not the chief executive, but the town clerk. And the town clerk was always a lawyer. Mr Hender's challenge to the divine right of lawyers was hotly resented, not least by Sir Charles, who roundly condemned the appointment.