The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee met to appoint a new Director of Digital, Data and Technology. Following interviews, the committee recommended Hemanth Shanthigrama for the role, subject to consultation with Cabinet members. The majority of the meeting was held in private to discuss exempt information relating to the candidates.

Appointment of Director of Digital, Data and Technology

The Sub-Committee interviewed two candidates for the position of Director of Digital, Data and Technology. Following these interviews, the committee resolved to recommend Hemanth Shanthigrama, currently the Acting Director of IT at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, for the role. This recommendation is provisional and subject to a two-working-day consultation period with all members of the Cabinet. During this period, Cabinet members can raise any objections to the appointment, which must be reasonable and based on material fact.

The recruitment process for this significant role, which is a budgeted post within the Council's establishment, began with an advertisement on 22 January 2026. A total of 140 applications were received, with 9 candidates longlisted. These candidates underwent assessment by an external assessor from Gatenby Sanderson, followed by a selection assessment centre involving officer interviews, psychometric assessments, and stakeholder panels. The Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development, Gordon McFarlane, and the Interim Assistant Chief Executive, Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer), Maria Christofi, oversaw the recruitment process.

The meeting commenced at 1.05 p.m. and concluded at 4.24 p.m. Councillor Zulfiqar Ali chaired the meeting, with Councillors Rita Chadha and Shaban Mohammed also in attendance. Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE had sent her apologies for absence. No declarations of interest were made by the members present. The Sub-Committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting due to the nature of the information being discussed, which fell under paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This legislation allows for the exclusion of the public when sensitive information, such as that relating to individuals, is being considered, and it is deemed that the public interest in disclosure does not outweigh the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

The report detailing the appointment process and recommendation can be found in the Public reports pack 09th-Apr-2026 13.00 Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee.pdf. Further details regarding the agenda can be found in the Agenda frontsheet 09th-Apr-2026 13.00 Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee.pdf. The minutes of the meeting are available in the Printed minutes 09th-Apr-2026 13.00 Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee.pdf.