The Tower Hamlets Appointment Sub-Committee met to interview candidates for the position of Director of HR & OD and determine which candidate, if any, should be offered the post. The sub-committee agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the information to be discussed. They also agreed to hold another meeting on Tuesday 9 September 2025.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting, as allowed under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972¹, because the agenda contained exempt information relating to individuals.

Director of HR & OD Interviews

The main purpose of the meeting was to interview candidates for the Director of HR & OD position. The Appointment Sub-Committee (ASC) was asked to assess each candidate in accordance with the council's policies and practices, and then decide who, if anyone, should be offered the job.

The sub-committee was informed that after they made their determination, the Executive² would be given 48 hours to comment on the proposed appointment. If negative feedback was received, the ASC may be required to meet again to consider the feedback before a final appointment is made. Subject to this feedback process, the Interim Head of Corporate Human Resources would then undertake all necessary recruitment processes to engage the selected candidate in line with the council's HR policies.

The report to the sub-committee stated that interim arrangements were in place while recruitment to the Director of HR & OD position was ongoing. The position had been advertised in June 2025, with the application window closing on 14 July 2025. The council advertised the position on its website, the Penna Exec Search website (the recruitment consultants), the Municipal Journal, and on social media. Penna also undertook a targeted executive search.

A longlist of candidates was considered by the ASC on 29 July 2025, and a decision was taken to arrange technical interviews for selected candidates. The candidates to be assessed at the final interview were shortlisted on 18 August 2025 by the ASC.

The Director of HR & OD will provide strategic leadership of the Human Resources (HR) & Organisation Development (OD) division, ensuring the delivery of high-quality operational and strategic HR and OD services and professional advice. The Director will shape and deliver a new Target Operating Model (TOM), embed a high-performance culture, and lead the internal transformation of the HR & OD function into a more strategic, insight-led, and customer-focused service aligned with the council's core values, priorities, and improvement programme.

The postholder will act as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive, senior leaders and Members, supporting system wide cultural change, workforce engagement, and people strategy to include leadership framework of the council. They will also work closely with the Chief Executive, Leader, relevant Cabinet Members, Corporate Directors, Directors, and Ministerial Envoys to accelerate delivery of the Ministerial Directions³.

The council's commitment to equalities includes an undertaking to achieve a workforce that can best serve and reflect the community at all levels in the organisation, and such considerations will be part of the recruitment process. All posts are recruited to on merit.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 19 August 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair, Councillor Maium Talukdar, as a correct record of proceedings.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or non-DPI interests, as outlined in the updated agenda pack. The note from the Interim Monitoring Officer provided guidance on what constitutes a DPI and non-DPI, including interests related to gifts, hospitality, council appointments, membership of public bodies, and any matters affecting the wellbeing of the councillor, their family, or close associates. Councillors in council tax arrears for at least two months are restricted from voting on related matters, as per Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992⁴. No declarations were made.