Newham Council is seeking to appoint new directors for both property and early help and safeguarding services.
The Chief Officer Appointment Committee convened on Monday, 14 July 2025, to establish sub-committees dedicated to the recruitment of a Director of Property and a Director of Early Help and Safeguarding. The meeting took place at Newham Dockside.
The Director of Property position has been vacant since April 2025, with responsibilities temporarily covered by the Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing and an interim appointment. According to the Public Reports Pack, the Director of Property will be responsible for the council's property and asset strategy, regeneration programme, and complex property issues. The council selected Penna as external recruitment consultants, citing their good knowledge of Newham Council, an understanding of our challenges and represent Best Value
. The application closing date is scheduled for July 2025, with interviews in September 2025.
Similarly, the Director of Early Help and Safeguarding post has been vacant since April 2024 and is currently being covered on an 'acting up' basis. This director will lead statutory Social Care, Family Help, prevention services, and the Youth Justice Service. The application closing date is set for July 2025, with interviews also planned for September 2025. The Director of Early Help and Safeguarding Committee Report highlights that over 72% of Newham residents are from ethnically diverse communities, with almost a quarter under 18 and more than 100 languages spoken.
Both roles are politically restricted, and the sub-committees will adhere to the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels, as detailed in Appendix B Supplementary Guidance - Diverse Recruitment Panels and Appendix B Supplementary Guidance - Diverse Recruitment Panels.
