The Tower Hamlets Appointment Sub-Committee met to interview candidates for the position of Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement. After the interviews, the sub-committee was expected to decide which candidate, if any, should be offered the job, and to note that the Executive would have 48 hours to comment on the proposed appointment.

Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement

The main item on the agenda was to interview candidates for the role of Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement. The sub-committee was asked to assess each candidate according to council policies and practices.

The job description for the role states that the Director is responsible for:

• Reducing crime
• Improving public safety
• Enhancing community well-being

The Director will act as the council’s strategic lead and advisor, and will be expected to show visible leadership, both within the council and with external partners. They will also be expected to lead key borough partnerships, including the Community Safety Partnership, and work with the police.

The Director will also lead the development of key council strategies and drive the improvement, operational delivery and performance of key council services, including:

• Integrated Enforcement Services, including the Tower Hamlets Task Force (police partnership)
• Regulatory Services (including Trading Standards, street trading, Food Safety and Health and safety
• Substance Misuse Services (as part of a boroughwide consortium of service providers)
• Public Protection Service (including Prevent¹ and VAWG²)

The Public Reports Pack included a report from Penna, the recruitment consultants, with details of the shortlisted candidates. This report was marked as exempt from publication.

The sub-committee was informed that if they agreed on a suitable candidate, the Mayor and each member of the Executive would be notified of the 'provisional intention to make an offer' and would have two days to raise any objections. If an objection was received, the sub-committee would be required to reconvene to consider it.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The sub-committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting, as the remaining business contained information defined as Exempt in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, because it identified individuals.

Approval of Minutes

The sub-committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 August 2025, including both the unrestricted and exempt minutes.