Newham Council's search for a Corporate Director of Adults and Health has been unsuccessful, with the Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee deciding not to make an appointment after interviewing two candidates. The sub-committee concluded that no offer could be extended to either candidate following careful consideration throughout the interview and selection process.
The sub-committee, which met on 18 July 2025, included Councillor Sarah Ruiz (Chair), Councillors Caroline Adaja, John Gray, Susan Masters, and Neil Wilson. The printed minutes of the meeting confirm that the Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee agreed not to make an appointment.
The recruitment process, overseen by Abi Gbago, Chief Executive, and supported by Caroline Bloch, Strategic HR Business Partner, involved executive search firm Gatenby Sanderson. Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, and Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE were consulted throughout. The chief officer appointment committee report notes that twenty-seven applications were received, with six candidates longlisted.
Technical interviews were conducted for the longlisted candidates by Jeremy DeSouza, the Executive Director of Adult Social Care Services (DASS) across both Richmond Council and Wandsworth Council, and a representative from Gatenby Sanderson. Shortlisted candidates participated in an assessment centre, including a resident panel, a stakeholder partner panel, and one-on-one interviews with Abi Gbago and Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE.
The agenda for the meeting included a review of members' declarations of interest, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972. The public reports pack stated that the recommendations align with the council's constitution and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, and that the position is a budgeted post. Salary costs for the position will be within the range set out in the Council's Pay Policy for 2025/2026, according to the chief officer appointment committee report.
The sub-committee will now need to consider its next steps in filling this crucial role within the council.
