Meet the Leader with Cllr Jonathan Lester
For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council.
During the conversation, Jonathan reflects on his journey into local government, including his return from Australia and his dedication to public service as both an elected member and council officer.
The episode explores his long-term vision for Herefordshire: driving economic growth and prosperity for all Herefordians, attracting greater investment, improving infrastructure, and addressing historic underinvestment in public transport and rail connectivity. Jonathan also discusses the council’s ambition to begin the first phase of the western bypass this year, alongside a wider focus on creating more opportunities for young people.
Nick and Jonathan also discuss the importance of making Herefordshire Council financially sustainable for the long term, ensuring it can continue to deliver high-quality, good-value services for residents while protecting the county’s environment.
It is an inspiring conversation about place, ambition and the importance of building a stronger, more sustainable future for Herefordshire.
Hosted by Cratus Group‘s Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes on Spotify here and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.
