The Staffing Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, to consider the appointment of a new Chief Officer. The primary item on the agenda was the selection of a Strategic Director for Strategy, Change and Communities.

Chief Officer Appointment - Strategic Director - Strategy, Change and Communities

The main focus of the meeting was the appointment of a Strategic Director for Strategy, Change and Communities. This role, as outlined in the SD Strategy covering report, is a key leadership position within the council. The Strategic Director is intended to lead the Mission Waltham Forest Transformation Programme, which aims to deliver significant savings and oversee a Prevention Operating Model across the organisation.

The report pack indicated that the Strategic Director would be responsible for uniting prevention, community-facing services, strategy, insight, and transformation into a single structure. This is designed to reduce demand on services, improve outcomes for residents, and drive change efficiently. The role also involves leading the council's approach to demand management, particularly in areas such as adult social care, children's services, temporary accommodation, and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

The creation of this post was approved by Cabinet on 17 March 2026. The role is crucial for achieving the council's aims, including delivering over £42 million in savings over the next three years as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy. The Strategic Director will also be instrumental in driving a cultural shift towards prevention and transformation, with a focus on staff engagement and communications.

The Staffing Committee was recommended to interview and decide on an appointment for this post. The report pack stated that one candidate had been recommended by the Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Culture and Workforce Development for consideration. The Appendix 1 - Job description for the role details extensive responsibilities, including providing corporate leadership, driving organisational improvement, and representing the council with key partners. The role requires a strategic thinker with experience in financial management, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and delivering major change programmes. The post-holder would report directly to the Chief Executive and have delegated authority similar to that of the Chief Executive for budget responsibilities.