It is with sadness that we have learnt of the sudden passing of Dave Hill CBE, Executive Director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Culture at Surrey County Council.
Dave joined the County Council in 2018, and was responsible for the rapid and wholescale improvement in Children’s Services here in Surrey.
Leader of Surrey County Council, Cllr Tim Oliver, said:
“I’m devastated to hear the news and all our thoughts at this time are with Dave’s family – his wife Jo and their two daughters.
“Dave was a tower of a man who was held both in respect and affection by those who worked with him at Surrey and across the whole of children’s services. He was thoughtful, inspirational, committed and self-deprecating. He will be irreplaceable.
“Dave will be much missed by all here at Surrey, and we will work tirelessly to ensure his legacy lives on in delivering the very best support for Surrey’s young people.”
Surrey County Council Chief Executive, Joanna Killian, said:
“Dave was an amazing colleague and great friend. At the heart of it he was just a great guy whose passion in life was his family – wife Jo, and daughters Laurel and Lydia whom he adored – and doing the very best he could for vulnerable children.
“My heart goes out to his family and to all his colleagues and staff who I know will be as devastated as I am that we have lost this amazing, talented man.
“His passion for doing the right thing by children and just getting things done shone through and he was the architect of the most brilliant transformation I have ever seen. He worked so hard and I know that his inspirational leadership, sheer energy and drive put us in the position we are today, with a service we can be proud of.
“Dave’s passion for justice and fairness also made him the natural choice to sponsor our renewed efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion at the council. He would not tolerate discrimination of any kind and was determined we would be a better council.”
