The Chief Officer Appointment Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the recruitment of several chief officer positions, and the process for recruiting a permanent Chief Executive. The committee was asked to agree on the size and membership of sub-committees responsible for these appointments. The meeting was also scheduled to discuss delegating the appointment of a non-statutory Chief Officer to a panel of officers.

Process for Recruitment of a Permanent Chief Executive

The committee was scheduled to note the proposed process and timeline for recruiting a new permanent Chief Executive, following the departure of Abi Gbago in July 2025, and the appointment of Paul Martin as Interim Chief Executive.

The proposed timeline included:

• Agreement of member panel (sub-committee) in February 2026
• Engagement of an executive search agency and preparation for microsite and advert launch in February - March 2026
• Advertising the Chief Executive role, with a closing date of 11 May 2026
• Longlisting and technical assessment dates in May 2026
• Agreement of new members of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2026
• Final shortlisting date in late May or early June 2026
• Candidate interviews and assessment centre in June 2026
• Full council consultation, date to be confirmed
• A target start date of October 2026

The report pack noted that the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the council to designate one of its officers as the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive).

Establishment of Appointment Sub-Committees for Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation and Corporate Director of Adults and Health

The Chief Officer Appointment Committee was asked to agree the size and membership of appointment sub-committees for two positions: Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation, and Corporate Director of Adults and Health.

For the Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation role, the report pack noted that Penna, an external recruitment partner, had been procured to assist with sourcing candidates. The proposed timetable included advertising the role in early November 2025, with interviews potentially taking place in early March 2026. The hiring manager for this position was scheduled to be the Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, a post that was due to be permanently filled from 27 November 2025.

For the Corporate Director of Adults and Health, the report pack stated that the post had been temporarily covered for over two years. Gatenby Sanderson were engaged to assist with the search. A recruitment timetable was included, with final interviews potentially taking place before the end of 2025. The postholder is the statutory Director of Adult Social Services (DASS), as required by the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, and is also designated as the Caldicott Guardian¹.

The report pack stated that the size and membership of each sub-committee should be appropriate to the appointment being made, reflective of the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels (see Diverse Recruitment Panels), and subject to the rules on political proportionality.

Delegation of the Appointment of Non-Statutory Chief Officer

The committee was scheduled to consider delegating the appointment of the Director of Place-Making to officers. The report pack stated that a restructure of Tiers 2 & 3 in September 2025 resulted in two roles being combined into the Director of Place Making role. Two employees were identified for this role on a ring-fenced basis².

The report pack stated that under the council's Employment Procedure Rules, the Chief Officer Appointment Committee is responsible for the appointment of Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers graded SMR D and above. However, the committee could delegate the appointment of a non-statutory Chief Officer to an Officer panel by resolution.

The proposed officer appointment panel was scheduled to be chaired by the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing, with the Lead Member for Inclusive Economy & Housing and a senior officer from Human Resources also participating.

The job description included in the report pack stated that the Director of Place Making would have strategic leadership responsibility and accountability for the delivery of successful place-making across Newham, including the council's planning functions, regeneration functions, housing delivery, regeneration of place, people, capital investment and delivery of major programmes. The post holder would also provide strategic leadership of the council's Our Newham services, adult education and the council's approach and delivery to the cultural portfolio.