Official Brent Council Press release
Carolyn Downs has been announced as the new chief executive of Brent Council.
Chief executive of the Local Government Association since November 2011, Carolyn will bring a wealth of experience to Brent.
Prior to her appointment at the Local Government Association, Carolyn was chief executive of the Legal Services Commission, where her role was to drive performance and secure a stronger financial future.
Carolyn was also previously deputy permanent secretary and director general of corporate performance at the Ministry of Justice. She was responsible for all corporate services, including finance, estates, personnel, risk management, business planning and communications.
From 2003 to 2009, Carolyn was Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, where she was responsible for a budget of £500 million a year and a staff of 12,000.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:
"I am delighted that after a rigorous and competitive recruitment process, we are able to offer the role of chief executive at Brent Council to Carolyn Downs.
"Carolyn was the outstanding candidate in what was a highly competitive recruitment process, and I am confident that she will bring with her a wealth of public sector experience and enthusiasm to Brent, at a time when this council and local authorities everywhere face such unprecedented challenges.
"I have no doubt at all that with Carolyn's passion for and experience in local government and her drive to succeed, that we have appointed the right person to help navigate the borough through the challenging times ahead and help make Brent a better borough."
Christine Gilbert, the current chief executive at Brent Council, said:
"I would like to congratulate Carolyn on her appointment, her experience and skills will be a huge asset to Brent.
"It has been a great privilege to have served as the chief executive for Brent Council. Brent is a wonderful place and I know Carolyn will be warmly welcomed both inside and outside the civic centre.
"I wish her every success in her new role."
Carolyn will take up the role later in the year, once her appointment has been ratified at a full council meeting on 22 June 2015.
End of Press Release
Carolyn Downs has been announced as the new chief executive of Brent Council.
Chief executive of the Local Government Association since November 2011, Carolyn will bring a wealth of experience to Brent.
Prior to her appointment at the Local Government Association, Carolyn was chief executive of the Legal Services Commission, where her role was to drive performance and secure a stronger financial future.
Carolyn was also previously deputy permanent secretary and director general of corporate performance at the Ministry of Justice. She was responsible for all corporate services, including finance, estates, personnel, risk management, business planning and communications.
From 2003 to 2009, Carolyn was Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, where she was responsible for a budget of £500 million a year and a staff of 12,000.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:
"I am delighted that after a rigorous and competitive recruitment process, we are able to offer the role of chief executive at Brent Council to Carolyn Downs.
"Carolyn was the outstanding candidate in what was a highly competitive recruitment process, and I am confident that she will bring with her a wealth of public sector experience and enthusiasm to Brent, at a time when this council and local authorities everywhere face such unprecedented challenges.
"I have no doubt at all that with Carolyn's passion for and experience in local government and her drive to succeed, that we have appointed the right person to help navigate the borough through the challenging times ahead and help make Brent a better borough."
Christine Gilbert, the current chief executive at Brent Council, said:
"I would like to congratulate Carolyn on her appointment, her experience and skills will be a huge asset to Brent.
"It has been a great privilege to have served as the chief executive for Brent Council. Brent is a wonderful place and I know Carolyn will be warmly welcomed both inside and outside the civic centre.
"I wish her every success in her new role."
Carolyn will take up the role later in the year, once her appointment has been ratified at a full council meeting on 22 June 2015.
End of Press Release
Further information about Carolyn Downs from the LGASo no connection with Tower Hamlets or Ofsted, just shared intials with the head of Brent HR.
Carolyn Downs has been Chief Executive of the LGA since November 2011.
Before this she was chief executive of the Legal Services Commission where her role was to drive performance and secure a stronger financial future.
She was also previously deputy permanent secretary and director general of corporate performance at the Ministry of Justice. She was responsible for all corporate services, including finance, estates, personnel, risk management, business planning and communications.
From 2003 to 2009, Carolyn was Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, where she was responsible for a budget of £500 million a year and a staff of 12,000.
Carolyn had worked for the same council as director of environment and community services since 1999 and before this, worked for a range of other councils including Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Stevenage Borough Council, the London Borough of Haringey, and Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council where she started her working life as a library assistant.