The Staffing Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on 16 June 2025 to interview candidates for the position of Strategic Director of Place. The committee was scheduled to discuss the candidates and make an appointment to the role. The Strategic Director of Place is responsible for all functions in the Place Directorate including Housing, Regeneration and Planning, Property, Commercial Estate and Investment and Capital Delivery.

Appointment of Strategic Director of Place

The Staffing Committee, chaired by Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), was scheduled to interview candidates for the Chief Officer post of Strategic Director of Place. The post is a permanent role and a member of the council's Senior Leadership Team. The previous post holder retired in January 2025, and the post has been filled on an interim basis since then.

The Staffing Committee was scheduled to interview and decide on an appointment for the post.

Staffing Committee is recommended to: Interview and decide an appointment as appropriate for the post of Strategic Director of Place; and Make such other decisions within its terms of reference as the committee sees fit.

The Strategic Director of Place is responsible for all functions in the Place Directorate including Housing, Regeneration and Planning, Property, Commercial Estate and Investment and Capital Delivery. The Strategic Director of Place reports to the Chief Executive, Linzi Roberts-Egan.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Providing strategic policy direction, operational leadership and financial control for the Place Directorate, ensuring Place services meet the highest standards in line with council priorities.
• Working closely with councillors, the Senior Leadership Team and partners to ensure place shaping is at the heart of delivery.
• Developing a directorate culture that respects and celebrates diversity and aims to reduce inequality across the borough.
• Supporting the cabinet and the Chief Executive to ensure the council achieves its corporate objectives and desired outcomes for residents as set out in Mission Waltham Forest.

The Strategic Director of Place is responsible for a net revenue budget of £36 million, and a total capital budget of circa £712 million from 2024/25 to 2034/35. They are also responsible for approximately 450 staff across the Place directorate. The direct reports of the Strategic Director of Place are the Corporate Director of Housing, the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Planning & Delivery, and the Director – Capital Strategy and Portfolio Management.