Clare Mockler, who joined the council in 2002 and has been chief executive since January 2021, is returning home to the United Kingdom to support her elderly mother.

The council’s announcement on Wednesday morning said that Mockler’s resignation is effective as of close of business today and comes after council held its final meeting of the year on Tuesday.

Chief operating officer Michael Sedgman will be council’s acting CEO while a search is undertaken for Mockler’s replacement.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the council expects to appoint a permanent CEO in mid-2024.

She said Mockler has had an “extraordinary career in local government”.

“She has been an exemplary leader with unrivalled experience and corporate knowledge,” Lomax-Smith said.

“Her successes include delivering balanced budgets, sustainable finances and a series of important initiatives as the city has emerged and recovered from the effects of COVID. Her legacy is a higher performing, more strategic organisation.

Clare Mockler (left) was appointed CEO during the term of former Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor (right). Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

“On a personal note, I thank Clare for her generosity and support since I have returned to the role of Lord Mayor. I wish her the very best in the next phase of her career.”

Originally from the UK, Mockler joined the City of Adelaide in 2002 with a legal background. She also holds a masters degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.

In 2016, she was appointed council’s director, community and then, in June 2019, deputy chief executive.

She stepped up as acting chief executive in January 2021 in the absence of former CEO Mark Goldstone, before being permanently appointed to the role in August that year.

Sedgman, council’s new acting CEO, joined the City of Adelaide in May 2023. Prior to that, he was chief executive of Murray Bridge Council for eight years.