Wallace Sampson was Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council between August 2008 and March 2023. He worked in local government for over 35 years in a variety of roles, starting at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in the exchequer function. He also worked at Chesterfield Borough Council, Kirklees MBC, and Bradford MDC where he was Strategic Director Customer Services and Assistant Chief Executive for Regeneration and the Environment.
Wallace is passionate about public service delivery and the need to work within partnerships to join up service delivery. He has devoted his career to public service and over the years he has worked extensively with partners across public, private and the voluntary sector to ensure a strong focus on customers, residents, businesses and visitors. This was reflected in a number of external responsibilities to Harrogate Council. He chaired the Harrogate District Public Services Leadership Board and served on both of North Yorkshire Children’s Safeguarding Board and Adults Safeguarding Board. He also served as a Trustee at St Michaels Hospice as well as a Trustee on the Harrogate District Climate Coalition which was established as a not-for-profit charitable incorporated company.
Wallace was also a Director of Bracewell Homes, a wholly owned Harrogate Borough Council housing company; and a Director of Brimhams Active, a wholly owned Harrogate Borough Council leisure company. He was the lead chief executive for net zero across Yorkshire and the Humber and played a leading role in establishing the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission. He is an experienced peer challenge reviewer for the Local Government Association and he is a Member of Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. Wallace is the Chair of the new Innovation Committee
Wallace enjoys most sports but particularly football, cricket and golf. Relaxation is best spent either at the gym or reading adventure/action based fiction.