The Appointment Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 4 August 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be the shortlisting process for the Corporate Director of Resources position.

Shortlisting for Corporate Director of Resources

The Appointment Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider a report detailing the longlisting process for the Corporate Director of Resources (s151) role. This report has been prepared by executive search consultants, Penna. The committee will be asked to agree the shortlist of candidates who will be invited to the final stage of interviews.

The role of Corporate Director of Resources is a statutory position, with the postholder acting as the council's s151 officer, responsible for ensuring the proper administration of the authority's financial affairs. The report highlights that interim arrangements are currently in place for this position, and permanent recruitment is being undertaken to provide greater leadership stability and professional expertise. The recruitment process began in June 2026, with the advertisement closing on 24 July 2026. The position was advertised through the council's website, Penna's executive search website, and the Municipal Journal, with a targeted executive search also conducted.

The report also outlines the reasons for the decision to recruit permanently, noting that it represents improved value for money for residents compared to the costs of agency engagement. Appointing to the role permanently is also expected to positively impact risk management and performance delivery. The committee's terms of reference for appointments to Chief Officer posts are detailed, including the requirement for the committee to comprise five councillors, with specific representation from the Leader of the Aspire Group and at least one member of the Executive. The quorum for the committee is set at three voting members.

The report also touches upon equalities implications, stating that the council is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the community and that all posts are recruited on merit. Legal services have confirmed that the process aligns with Section 112 of the Local Government Act 1972, which requires the council to appoint necessary officers, and the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in the council's Constitution. The report also notes the requirement for the committee to comply with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring fair processes and reasonable adjustments are made.

Due to the commercially, legally, or personally sensitive nature of the information contained within the report and its appendices, the press and public will be excluded from this part of the meeting. This is in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, and the information is defined as Exempt under Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The agenda also includes a note from the Interim Monitoring Officer regarding declarations of interest, which members are required to make. This includes disclosable pecuniary interests and non-disclosable pecuniary interests, with guidance provided on how to declare them and the implications for participation in the meeting.

The members scheduled to attend this meeting are Councillor Saied Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods), Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury (Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Governance), Councillor Rupert George, Mayor Lutfur Rahman (Executive Mayor), and Councillor Maium Talukdar (Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and the Cost of Living, Improving Customer Services and Voluntary Sector Engagement (Statutory Deputy Mayor)).¹