Croydon Council has appointed Elaine Jackson as Interim Chief Executive, agreed at Full Council on Wednesday 11 December.
Elaine brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked as a senior leader across the private and public sectors, most recently as Assistant Chief Executive at Croydon. She has been acting up into the post since late October and has been appointed as interim for 12 months, providing continuity of leadership and stability for the local authority.
As Interim Chief Executive, Elaine will drive the delivery of the Council’s transformation programme, Future Croydon – to modernise Council services, provide excellent customer care and value for money.
Her appointment was unanimously recommended by the Council’s cross-party Appointments and Disciplinary Committee on 1 December. Following Full Council approval, it begins with immediate effect.
Elaine said: “I am delighted to have been formally appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Croydon. We have a busy time ahead as we focus on projects to radically change and modernise our Council, to make it more efficient and financially sustainable for the future. I am committed to leading on this change and putting residents at the heart of everything we do.”
Croydon has also appointed Conrad Hall as a new Section 151 Officer, on a 12-month secondment from the London Borough of Newham. The Section 151 Officer is a statutory post currently held by the Corporate Director of Resources, Jane West, who is set to leave Croydon next year.
Conrad is an experienced local government finance professional who has been a Section 151 Officer since 2013. Former positions include being President of the Society of London Treasurers and, most recently, Director of Resources at the London Borough of Newham.
He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Croydon and very grateful to Newham for facilitating the secondment. I moved to London 30 years ago and have lived in south London ever since and whilst I don’t live in Croydon I’m very nearby. I was also part of the external audit team for Croydon in the 1990s so it’s great to be returning. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Croydon is on a journey of improvement, and I am delighted that Elaine Jackson has been formally appointed as Interim Chief Executive – bringing the stability and continuity needed to drive our transformation.
“I welcome Conrad Hall to the borough and look forward to working with him as he takes up the Section 151 Officer post. I’d like to thank Newham Council for their support in his secondment.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jane West for everything she has done for Croydon – she has been a real asset to our Council. We have been fortunate to have her with us on our journey, and she will be very much missed by us all.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
