Barry is an advisor to local government on governance, management and strategy. In October 2022, he completed a 45 year service record in London’s local government.  

This was mostly as a chief executive: first at Lewisham (1993-2017), and then at RB Kensington and Chelsea (2017-2022).  He has worked in every form of governance and has deep experience of both service and democratic innovation.  

He has a PhD in the political and social geography of public policy.  His 2013 book, Re-imagining Government, received critical academic acclaim.  Throughout 2023 he has worked with Solace and the LGA designing a core curriculum for chief executives.  

He has also assisted the LGA in responding to the Government’s changing approaches to improvement, assurance and intervention.