This meeting of the Tower Hamlets Council Appointments Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss shortlisting candidates for the role of Director of HR & OD¹. The committee was also expected to confirm the minutes of a previous meeting, and to exclude the press and public from the majority of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the topics to be discussed.

Shortlisting for Director of HR & OD

The main item on the agenda was the shortlisting of candidates for the position of Director of HR & OD. A report prepared by Penna, the recruitment consultants, was to be presented to the committee, containing recommendations on which candidates should progress to the final interview stage.

The report pack stated that the position was advertised in June 2025, closing on 14 July 2025, and was advertised on the council's website, the Penna Exec Search website, the Municipal Journal, and on social media. Penna also undertook a targeted executive search.

The report pack included a recommendation that the Appointment Sub-Committee:

Agree the 'shortlist' of candidates to be invited for final interviews.

The report also noted that interim arrangements were in place pending recruitment to the position, and that not recruiting to the post would not create the necessary stability.

Other Business

The committee was also scheduled to:

• Note any declarations of interest made by members, including those restricting members from voting under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
• Confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Appointments Sub-Committee, held on 29 July 2025.
• Consider a motion to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting, as the agenda contained exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
• Confirm the exempt minutes of the Appointments Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 July 2025.