Lambeth Council is set to appoint its Corporate Directors through a ringfenced recruitment process, open only to current Corporate Directors, as part of a senior management restructure. The council has stated that this restructure is expected to deliver savings to these budgets which will be set out once all phases of the proposed restructure have been finalised.

The decision was made at the Appointments Sub-Committee meeting on 18 September 2025, where the recruitment process for four Corporate Director posts was discussed: Corporate Director of Growth & Environment, Corporate Director of Housing, Corporate Director Integrated Care Board & Adults, and Corporate Director of Resources. The move follows a recent top-tier senior management restructure aimed at cutting senior management posts by 20% and reducing directorates from seven to five, with expected savings of around £1 million.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the council will recruit to the four posts by way of a ringfenced recruitment process for the current Corporate Directors to apply only. Expressions of interest have already been received from existing Corporate Directors. Specifically:

  • Two applications for the Corporate Director Integrated Care Board & Adults.
  • One application for the Corporate Director of Housing.
  • Two applications for the Corporate Director of Growth & Environment.
  • One application for the Corporate Director of Resources.

Technical assessments were scheduled for the week commencing 9 September 2025, with interviews by the Appointments Sub Committee on 15, 18, 19 and 25 September 2025. The Public Reports Pack mentions that job description and person specification for all four roles were drawn up and evaluated as part of the Senior Management Restructure to reflect responsibilities of the role. A job description and person specification for the Corporate Director of Housing role is included in the reports pack. The person specification lists key knowledge, relevant experience, and qualifications as criteria.

The Public Reports Pack states that offers of employment will be made unless there is a well-founded objection from any member of the Cabinet. Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, will determine the final contractual arrangements.

The job description for the Corporate Director of Housing role includes developing and delivering a long-term vision for housing in Lambeth, ensuring the delivery of the council's housing strategy, and providing strategic oversight to improve the council's landlord functions.

The Public Reports Pack also recommended excluding the press and public from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the candidate reports, citing the Local Government Act 1972.