Newham Council is seeking a new Director of Housing Needs to lead its housing strategy. The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee convened on Monday, 23 June 2025, to interview candidates for the crucial role.
The committee, chaired by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, followed a rigorous recruitment process, supported by executive search firm GatenbySanderson. According to the agenda, the recommendation from the committee will be subject to consultation with cabinet members, as required by the council's constitution.
The recruitment process involved multiple stages. Twenty-five applications were received, with seven candidates making the longlist. Technical interviews were conducted by Mohamed Hussein, interim Director of Housing Needs and Homelessness at Tower Hamlets Council, and a representative from GatenbySanderson. Shortlisted candidates then participated in an Assessment Centre, which included a Youth Panel, a Stakeholder Partner panel, and one-on-one meetings with the Corporate Director of Housing and Inclusive Economy.
The report pack noted that the position is a budgeted post, with salary costs within the council's Pay Policy for 2025/2026. The committee was expected to exclude the press and public from the meeting to discuss exempt information regarding the candidates, citing the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.