Karime is a chartered town planner with over 35 years’ experience of working in local government. Since 2013 Karime has held the post of Chief Executive & Growth Director at Exeter City Council. He has been involved with many of the significant milestones and developments of the city over the last twenty years, such as Princesshay and the Met Office.

In 2006 he set up the growth programme for Exeter & East Devon that brought forward Cranbrook new town and Exeter Science Park. Karime has worked to transform Exeter into a knowledge economy supported by strong anchor institutions. He has been a passionate advocate of the role of town and country planning and public/private partnerships in place leadership and in transitioning to a low carbon future.