Press Release – Launch of the Professional Body for Monitoring Officers.

LLG are delighted to announce the launch of the Professional Body for Monitoring Officers whose official name and logo will be announced at the LLG Governance Conference 2025 in London.  

The long-awaited professional body comes at a pivotal moment for standards and governance in the local government sector. Stemming from the collaborative report by Browne Jacobson with the LGiU and LLG investigating the changing role of the Monitoring Officer back in 2023, LLG has constituted the professional body to reflect the recommendation that one be established to reflect the same standing as the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.  

Deborah Evans 

Deborah Evans, CEO of LLG stated “The creation of the Professional Body for Monitoring Officers marks a pivotal moment for local governance in the UK. By bringing this new Association into the LLG family, we are strengthening the support, voice and professional resilience of Monitoring Officers at a time when ethical leadership and robust governance have never been more essential” 

The Professional Body will operate a shadow committee until April 2027 when elections for positions will take place amongst its membership. The committee will be made of a spread of Monitoring Officers including those who are non-legally qualified and be Chaired by the current LLG MO and National Lead, Helen Bradley.  

Helen Bradley  

As we near the official launch Helen said, “I am delighted a professional body will be established to provide dedicated support to Monitoring Officers and Deputy Monitoring Officers, as well as develop strategy, best practice and professional standards to help strengthen local authority governance”.  

Paul Turner 

Paul Turner, LLG President and driving force behind the creation of the Body stated “I’m really excited about the Launch of the Professional Body.  I have long felt that Monitoring Officers need this; - Chief Executives have SOLACE, Finance Officers have CIPFA, but up until now Monitoring Officers haven’t had the same support.   I am delighted that LLG has agreed to act as the parent organisation for the new Body and it’s great to see the hard work starting to take effect”.  

LLG ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO LEAD THE PROFESSIONAL BODY.  

Rachel McKoy 

In other breaking news, LLG are delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel McKoy as the new Executive Director for the Professional Body. Rachel is a senior leader within the corporate governance space. A former President of LLG, she was the former Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) at the London Boroughs of Newham/Havering (One Source) and Hounslow. Rachel is a champion for local government lawyers, Monitoring Officers and good governance within a range of sectors (public, higher education, and IT) holding the following roles: NED and Board Solicitor for the Society of Local Government Chief Executives (SOLACE); Chair of the Professional Conduct and Disciplinary Committee BCS (Chartered Institute for IT) and Lay Trustee (Legal & Governance) Westminster University Student Union. 

Helen Bennett  

Helen Bennett, Executive Director of Policy and Governance at LLG reflecting on the appointment said "Rachel’s appointment will be instrumental to the success of the new Professional Body and is a real asset to the LLG team as a whole. Working alongside Rachel will enable cross cutting sector support and a tangible positive impact on the work LLG began in order to influence the governance regime. Rachel’s expertise and experience is exactly what the Professional Body needs to ensure its success and impact on the sector at large” 

On her appointment, Rachel Mckoy commented; “the launch of our professional body is a seminal moment for Monitoring Officers and Deputy Monitoring Officers. The body has been created by us, for us, and will be instrumental in providing our family with an established home rooted in the advancement of our interests. It will provide the support, guidance and platform required to assist us in navigating the current complexities of the Monitoring Officer role. I am immensely privileged to have been entrusted with the future growth and delivery of the body. It is purposeful work and I look forward to working on behalf of the membership to deliver the priorities they require”.