The Chief Officer Appointment Committee of Newham Council met on Friday 24 October 2025 to discuss the establishment of sub-committees for key senior appointments and the process for recruiting a permanent Chief Executive. The meeting's agenda focused on the procedures for appointing a Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation, a Corporate Director of Adults and Health, and a Director of Place-Making, as well as outlining the timeline for finding a new Chief Executive.

Establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee - Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation

The committee was scheduled to consider the establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee to oversee the appointment of a Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation. The role, which is politically restricted, involves leading and managing the borough's highways, parking, and transportation network. Key responsibilities include developing policies that align with the council's strategies to tackle the climate emergency and promote community wealth building. The report pack indicated that external recruitment consultants, Penna, had been engaged to assist with sourcing candidates. A proposed timetable for the recruitment process was outlined, with the aim of filling the permanent post by November 2025, although the sub-committee interview was scheduled for March 2026. The report also detailed the proposed composition of the sub-committee, emphasizing the need for diversity in line with the council's guidance. Financial implications included an estimated recruitment fee of £16,000 plus VAT.

Establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee - Corporate Director of Adults and Health

The committee was also set to discuss the establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee for the role of Corporate Director of Adults and Health. This position holds the statutory role of Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) and also serves as the Caldicott Guardian¹. The role is politically restricted and involves strategic leadership for public health and the integration of health and social care services. The report noted that previous recruitment attempts for this post had been unsuccessful, leading to a review of the job description and an increase in remuneration to attract a wider pool of applicants. The council had engaged Gatenby Sanderson to assist with the search. A recruitment timetable was proposed, with a view to final interviews taking place before the end of the calendar year. The report also outlined the requirements for the composition of the sub-committee, including adherence to diverse recruitment panel guidance.

Delegation of the Appointment of Non-Statutory Chief Officer

The committee was scheduled to consider the delegation of the appointment of a non-statutory Chief Officer, specifically the Director of Place-Making. This role, which is also politically restricted, encompasses strategic leadership for place-making across Newham, including planning functions, regeneration, housing delivery, capital investment, and major programmes. It also involves leadership of Our Newham services, adult education, and the cultural portfolio. The report explained that this role emerged from a restructure combining two previous positions. In line with the council's Change Management Procedure, two employees had been identified for this role on a ring-fenced basis and would receive priority consideration. The committee was asked to consider delegating the appointment to an Officer panel, chaired by the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing, with participation from the Lead Member for Inclusive Economy & Housing and a senior HR officer. A proposed timetable for this process was also presented.

Process for Recruitment of a Permanent Chief Executive

The committee was also scheduled to review the process and suggested timeline for recruiting a permanent Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. The report noted the departure of the previous Chief Executive in July 2025 and the subsequent appointment of an Interim Chief Executive, Paul Martin. The role of Head of Paid Service is a statutory obligation, responsible for staff management and providing principal advice on general policy. The interim appointment was made to ensure continuity and leadership, particularly in light of the council's response to a Best Value Notice and the transition to a new administration in May 2026. The proposed recruitment timeline included engaging an executive search agency, advertising the role in April 2026, with a closing date in May 2026, and a target start date of October 2026. The composition of the sub-committee for this appointment would be agreed at a future meeting.