The Appointments & Disciplinary Committee agreed to recommend that Croydon Council appoint Elaine Jackson as Interim Chief Executive for a 12-month period, from 10 December 2025 to 9 December 2026. The committee heard that informal consultation with the Executive, Commissioners, and Opposition had been undertaken, and that all supported the recommendation. The recommended option also presented the overall best cost option.

Appointment of Interim Chief Executive

The committee agreed to recommend to the council the appointment of Elaine Jackson as Interim Chief Executive for a period of 12 months. Dean Shoesmith, Chief People Officer, presented the report and recommendation, highlighting that the 12-month appointment would allow for an experienced post holder to be in place during the local and Executive Mayor elections in May 2026, as well as during the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.

Councillor Callton Young OBE, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, asked how Elaine Jackson's Assistant Chief Executive post would be filled. Dean Shoesmith explained that it would be backfilled for 12 months, engaging both internal and external candidates.

In response to Councillor Enid Mollyneaux, Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Dean Shoesmith confirmed that the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive would begin following the local elections. Mayor Jason Perry, Executive Mayor, added that the recruitment was best progressed after May 2026 due to the proximity of the elections. Councillor Stuart King, Leader of the Opposition, supported the proposed timings for the Chief Executive recruitment, and both he and Councillor Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, agreed that the timely permanent recruitment of a Chief Executive would be a challenge and priority for any administration after the elections.

The Report Interim CE December 2025 outlined the reasons for the recommendation:

• The interim appointment provides leadership continuity and stability during a period of significant transformation of council services.
• Elaine Jackson has been the lead officer for the council's transformation to date.
• She has a wealth of experience in senior management, including being a Chief Executive of another local authority, an NHS Trust, and in the private sector.
• The appointment is supported by the Executive Mayor and commissioners appointed by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).¹

The report also detailed alternative options that were considered, including:

• Acting up the substantive Assistant Chief Executive (Elaine Jackson).
• Appointing an interim chief executive in accordance with the daily pay rates set out in the council's Pay Policy Statement 2025/6.
• Appointing an external candidate on a fixed-term contract basis.
• Recruiting a permanent Chief Executive immediately.
• Doing nothing.

The report concluded that acting up the substantive Assistant Chief Executive was the least risky and lowest cost option.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The committee approved the minutes from the following Appointments & Disciplinary Committee meetings:

• 16th October 2025
• 20th October 2025
• 27th October 2025
• 28th October 2025
• 29th October 2025