Newham Council is seeking a new Chief Executive, with a target start date of October 2026.

The Chief Officer Appointment Committee convened on Friday 24 October 2025, to discuss the recruitment process and timeline following the departure of Abi Gbago in July 2025, and the appointment of Paul Martin as Interim Chief Executive. The council announced Ms. Gbago's departure in July 2025. The meeting took place at Newham Dockside, and was broadcast live on YouTube.

The council has a statutory obligation under Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to appoint a Head of Paid Service. The Head of Paid Service is statutorily responsible for the numbers, grades, appointment and discipline of all staff other than chief officers, deputy chief officers and any group's political assistants. They are also the Council's Principal Advisor on matters of general policy and to ensure the Council, the Executive and all committees are given co-ordinated advice on policy.

The proposed timeline for the recruitment is:

  • Member panel agreement: February 2026
  • Engage executive search agency: February - March 2026
  • Advertise the role: w/c 20 April 2026
  • Closing date: 11 May 2026
  • Longlisting date: 14 May 2026
  • Technical assessment date: w/c 18 May 2026
  • Annual Council Meeting to agree new Members of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee: May 2026
  • Final shortlisting date: w/c 25 May or 1 June 2026
  • Candidates' one-to-ones with interim CEO, plus opportunity to have a one-to-one with Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE: w/c 8 June 2026
  • Selection Assessment Centre spanning 2 days: w/c 8 June 2026
  • Final Member panel date: w/c 15 June 2026
  • Full Council consulted: TBC
  • Start date: Target October 2026

For previous recruitment, Penna was procured as the council's external recruitment partner to help with sourcing potential candidates for the Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation role. For the Corporate Director of Adults and Health, the council engaged Gatenby Sanderson to assist with the search.

Attendees at the meeting included Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Councillor John Gray (Chair of Pensions Committee), Councillor Sarah Jane Ruiz (Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Sustainable Transport), Councillor Caroline Adaja, and Councillor Mehmood Mirza (Leader of Newham Independents Group).

The Public Reports Pack provided to the committee included details of the proposed recruitment strategies.

The meeting information indicates that the 'Full Council' will be consulted, but the specific method and timeline are 'TBC' (To Be Confirmed).