The Leader of the County Council

Nicholas was first elected to public office in 1986 to represent the Ivanhoe Ward on Ashby Town Council and the Ivanhoe Ward on North West Leicestershire District Council. He has held a number of senior positions in these councils, including Lead Member for Development Control and Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee.  

Nicholas was first elected to Leicestershire County Council in 1989, serving until 1993. He was Group Spokesman on the Social Services Committee and Conservative Lead Member on the Scrutiny Commission.

In 2001, Nicholas Rushton was re-elected to Leicestershire County Council representing the Valley Division. Since that time, Nicholas has been in the ruling Cabinet - acting as Lead Member for Highways, Transportation and Waste Management (2005-2009) and Deputy Leader of the County Council. In 2010, Nicholas was appointed to the Finance and Resources portfolio.

In September 2012, Nicholas was elected as Leader of the County Council replacing David Parsons CBE CC.  Nicholas also serves on the General Assembly of the Local Government Association nationally, and is a County Council representative on the County Councils Network.

Outside of politics, Nicholas is married to Daniella and they have a teenage son, Bertie. Nicholas runs several very successful property companies based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and runs Ashby Town’s thriving weekly market. Nicholas is a sports enthusiast, with a keen interest in skiing, swimming, motor bikes and is a dedicated fan of the Leicester Tigers.

The Leader is a County Councillor who has been appointed to the position of Leader by the County Council.

In addition to his or her significant role as Leader of the Council, the Leader also acts as Chairman of the Cabinet.  He or she chooses which County Councillors comprise the Cabinet.

The Leader has power to appoint Cabinet members to oversee particular County Council functions, in that area they are known as the ‘Lead Member’, and power to appoint a Deputy Leader.  He is required to designate a Lead Member for the Children and Young People's Service and a Lead Member for Adults and Communities.