Croydon Council has appointed Annette McPartland as its permanent corporate director of adult social care & health (DASS) following a successful recruitment round.
A Croydon resident, Annette has worked for the borough for 27 years. She is currently serving as the council’s interim executive director of adult social care & health, having worked successfully in this role since August 2021. Prior to this, Annette was director of operations for Croydon Council’s adult social care service and has played an important role in the borough’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She builds on invaluable knowledge and experience of both the council and this specific field, having started her career locally as a social worker.
In this permanent position, Annette will continue her responsibility for health and social care services. This involves overall responsibility for the adult social care budget, delivering both preventative and early interventions services, and leading cultural changes to provide residents with greater support and choice.
This corporate director position sits as part of the new corporate team of directors which, alongside the chief executive, will deliver the Croydon Renewal Improvement Plan and a financially sustainable budget by March 2024.
Annette accepted the role following a cross-party appointments committee which took place on 17 January.
Annette said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as corporate director of adult social care & health. Croydon Council has nurtured me throughout my career and offered real opportunity to grow. It is an honour and privilege to serve the people of Croydon. There are many opportunities and challenges facing us as we move on through our recovery and renewal journey. I have no doubt, however, that our staff will continue to innovate and flourish. I relish the chance to work with them, and with our residents to take our adult social care and the council forward to even greater success.”
Councillor Hamida Ali, leader of the council, said: “I’m really pleased we are offering Annette this role after many years of dedicated service – it’s great to see some home-grown talent in our new top team. As a Croydon resident, I know she absolutely shares our passion for the borough and our commitment to tackling inequalities and providing our most vulnerable residents with quality care. She has been instrumental in forging our strong partnerships with health and the voluntary sector, helping to deliver our shared ambitions for all residents to lead longer, healthier, independent lives, and I look forward to this continuing.”
Councillor Yvette Hopley, shadow cabinet member for families, health & social care, said: ‘I am delighted that we continue to have Annette on board as our new corporate director for adult social care & health. She has demonstrated her dedication to safeguarding Croydon’s vulnerable residents, and her experience and expertise will be an invaluable asset to the corporate management team.”
Matthew Kershaw, chief executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and Croydon’s place-based leader for health said: “Annette has been at the forefront of our partnership working, championing the One Croydon Alliance, which aims to improve the health of all our residents and tackle long-standing inequalities. Her extensive experience in adult social care has been invaluable as we work together to achieve better outcomes for some of our most vulnerable residents. Her permanent appointment is excellent news for Croydon and I look forward to continuing our work in joining up care across the borough.”
