Shokat is currently the Chief Executive at Sandwell Council and was appointed at a time when Sandwell had commissioners in and was part of a governance intervention. In early 2024 Sandwell had the statutory directions lifted and the under Secretary for State Simon Hoare MP said there had been ‘a significant step change in the way in which the council has ordered and organised itself and its approach to governance’.

Shokat has 35 years experience in local government and in…