The Appointments Panel of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The primary item scheduled for discussion was the interview for the Director of Social Investment and Property role. The meeting was open to the public for this item, with a portion of the meeting to be held in private.

Interview for Director of Social Investment and Property

The main item scheduled for discussion was an interview for the position of Director of Social Investment and Property. The candidate pack for this role outlines the responsibilities, which include overseeing the council's property portfolio, managing capital investment programmes, and developing a social investment strategy. The role requires a leader who can balance professional rigour with commercial judgement and social responsibility, particularly in a politically and culturally sensitive environment. The candidate pack highlights the importance of understanding the borough's history, including the impact of the Grenfell tragedy, and the need for strong asset management, safety, and compliance. The position is described as a significant leadership appointment, with the successful candidate expected to advise Members clearly and professionally, balancing financial value with the understanding that public assets are held on behalf of residents. The council's values of Putting Communities First, Respect, Integrity, and Working Together are central to the role, with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, and community benefit. The role also involves leading teams, managing budgets, and ensuring effective governance and risk management. The job description details the main purpose of the role as ensuring the council's property portfolio is used effectively and efficiently, aligned with strategic needs and council priorities, and that the capital investment programme is planned, delivered, and monitored. The candidate is expected to have significant knowledge and experience in property, capital delivery, or asset management, along with senior-level leadership and management experience. The role also requires the ability to engage with a range of stakeholders and an understanding of working in a political context. The council's commitment to learning from the Grenfell tragedy and ensuring safety, accountability, and trust in asset management is a key consideration. The candidate pack also references several council documents, including the Council Plan Action Plan 2025-2027, the Council Plan 2025-2027, the Social Investment Impact Report 2023/24, the Interim Council Asset Strategy 2025-2030, and the Grenfell Recovery Strategy, providing further context for the role and the council's priorities.

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest. A portion of the meeting was scheduled to be held in private, as it was considered exempt under the Local Government Act 1972, likely due to containing information relating to individuals.