The Chief Officer Advisory Appointments Committee of Newham Council was scheduled to convene to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Public Health. The meeting's agenda included the consideration of candidates for this key public health role, with a recommendation to be made to the full Council.

Appointment of Director of Public Health

The primary focus of the meeting was the appointment of a new Director of Public Health for Newham Council. This statutory chief officer role is responsible for providing strategic leadership on all health matters within the borough, aiming to improve population health and reduce health inequalities. The Director of Public Health acts as the principal adviser to elected members and officers on these issues and is accountable to the Newham Health and Wellbeing Board, the Chief Executive, and the Secretary of State for Health.

The recruitment process for this position, which commenced with an advertisement on 5th March 2026, involved the engagement of the Penna recruitment agency. A total of eight applicants were received, with four being longlisted. These candidates underwent assessment and shortlisting, with the final shortlisted candidates proceeding to a selection assessment centre held between 20th and 29th April 2026. The report pack indicated that the shortlisted candidates were confirmed to possess the necessary qualifications, registration, training, and experience for the role by the Faculty of Public Health Assessor, Eleanor Roaf, and the Regional Director for Public Health England, Professor Kevin Fenton.

The selection process was designed to include an officer 1:1 interview with Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults and Health, a partner stakeholder panel, and a residents panel. The report pack stated that the candidates' details, supporting documentation, and interview papers were provided in an exempt enclosure, Appendix A, due to containing information relating to individuals.

The Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee and Advisory Appointments Committee were asked to recommend a successful applicant to the Council for appointment, subject to ratification. The report pack outlined that the recommendation would be subject to a two-working-day consultation period with all members of the Cabinet. Furthermore, as the post is a joint appointment with the Secretary of State, Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for Public Health England, would confirm the Secretary of State's approval.

The Advisory Appointments Committee was composed of Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (Chair), Councillor Rita Chadha (Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care and Transforming Newham for the Future), Professor Kevin Fenton (Regional Director of Public Health, London OHID, DHSC and NHSE), Eleanor Roaf (Faculty of Public Health Assessor), Dame Marie Gabriel (Chair of the North-East London Integrated Care Board), and Fiona Connolly (Corporate Director of Adults and Health, Statutory Director of Adult Social Services). Caroline Bloch, Strategic HR Business Partner, was in attendance as an HR adviser. The committee's roles and responsibilities were detailed in the London AAC panel - Roles and Responsibilities for DPH document.

The report pack also included guidance on Members' Declarations of Interest, referencing the Declaration of Interest Guidance document, which outlines the procedures for declaring disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests to ensure transparency and prevent bias in decision-making.