Tower Hamlets Council is seeking new directors for several key departments, including Regeneration and Development, Corporate Property and Estates, HR and OD, IT, and Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement.
The council advertised the positions in June 2025, with the application window closing on Monday, 14 July 2025. The recruitment process aims to achieve a workforce that reflects the community at all levels, with appointments made on merit. The council has stated its commitment to equalities, ensuring considerations of diversity are part of the recruitment process.
Appointment Sub-Committees convened on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, to begin the process of longlisting candidates for each of these Director positions. Each committee was tasked with reviewing applications and agreeing on a list of candidates to invite for first-stage technical interviews, which are scheduled to follow the longlisting process. The next meeting of the Appointment Sub-Committee for each role is scheduled for Monday 18th August 2025, although the documents do not provide information on the timeline beyond the first-stage interviews.
The positions were advertised across various platforms, including the council's website, Penna Exec Search, the Municipal Journal, Guardian Jobs, Inside Housing, and social media. Penna, the recruitment consultants, also undertook a targeted executive search.
According to the Public Reports Pack for the Director of Regeneration and Development role, the Appointments Sub Committee (ASC) is established with the terms of reference:
To make appointments to Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer posts in accordance with the council's Constitution and the agreed Recruitment and Selection procedure.
Alternative options, such as continuing with interim arrangements, were considered, but it was noted that this would not create the necessary stability required by filling a Director role on a permanent basis.
The Public Reports Pack for the Director of HR and OD role stated that the position was advertised in June 2025 on the council's website, the Penna Exec Search website, the Municipal Journal, and social media, with a targeted executive search also undertaken by Penna.
The Public Reports Pack for the Director of IT role noted that acting-up arrangements were in place pending recruitment to the Director of IT position, but that not recruiting to the post would not create the necessary stability.
For each meeting, the agenda included the election of a chair and declarations of interest from members. Councillors were also expected to declare any interests, including those restricting members from voting under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The agenda included a note from the Interim Monitoring Officer regarding declarations of interest.
The committees were expected to exclude the press and public from the majority of the meetings, citing Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as the agenda contained exempt information.
