Four Chief Execs in Three Years.

We learn that Newham’s Chief Executive, Althea Loderick, is moving on to take on new challenges in Southwark. After three years in post, Ms Loderick has decided that it is time to change.

Three years in post is not a bad stint, a bit short, but okay(ish) for a CEO. What this disguises is the fact that Newham will have had four Chief Execs in as many years.

Let us explain. First, there was Kim Bromley Derry, inherited from the Wales regime, so he had to go. Then there was Christine Kerslake who appeared to receive some £200k for six months’ work. Then of course came Ms Loderick who will in turn have to be replaced during the course of 2020. Not great for continuity. 

We hear, but it is only tittle tattle, that Ms Loderick and the mayor had a difficult relationship. It seems to have started when the mayor decided that she, and not the Chief Exec should have the big office. Under the Wales regime, the mayor had a modest sized office and the Chief Exec a somewhat larger one which doubled as a boardroom for meetings. One of the first executive decisions made by Mayor Fiaz was to ensure that she moved from the small office into the big one. Just in case, it seems, someone hadn’t realized how important she is.