Linzi Roberts-Egan is returning to Waltham Forest as chief executive to replace outgoing boss Martin Esom who has held the top job there since 2010.
By Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter
The hunt is on for a new council boss after the chief executive said she is leaving Islington after nearly three years.
Linzi Roberts-Egan is returning to Waltham Forest as chief executive to replace outgoing boss Martin Esom who has held the top job there since 2010. She said it has been “my honour to have served our residents” in Islington.
She was previously deputy chief executive at Waltham Forest.
Announcing her move she said: “The biggest pleasure of my time in Islington has been connecting with our incredible residents and with everyone in Islington who works so hard to improve our borough, from our street sweepers to our children’s and adult’s social workers who support people in need every day.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, under incredible pressure, we saw the absolute best of Islington as so many people – residents and staff alike – led the way to support our communities, and get help to the people who needed it most.”
She added: “Together, we have made great strides in tackling inequality, from building badly needed new council homes to challenging inequality and injustice, and prioritising early help and support for families and young people.”
She joined Islington in September 2019 on a salary of £185,000, which rises in line with the annual cost of living rise for chief executives.
The a following year faced one of the council’s biggest challenges helping residents weather the coronavirus pandemic.
Many staff had to adapt to different jobs rapidly to support the most vulnerable whilst others had to help run council services from home.
She chaired daily crisis response meetings durbg the pandemic “to keep vital services running, from child protection to refuse collection, to bring food and support to vulnerable residents and to keep residents and staff safe,” according to a council spokesman.
The chief executive role requires evening and weekend work with “such hours as are necessary to ensure the job gets done”.
Along with other London council chief executives she has the “Gold” responsibility for London for two fortnights a year which means she would act as chief executive for London in the event of a London-wide emergency.
Her role at Islington has also included helping the council’s aim to make a more equal borough.
A spokesman said this work includes the coucnil’s house-building programme, work to improve mental health support for young Black men and putting residents “at the centre of how the council designs and runs services.”
Her previous experience was as deputy chief executive and director of families and housing at Waltham Forest.
She has worked in the publci sector for more than 30 years and started her career in teaching.
She was an Executive Headteacher lat a mainstream primary school and two Pupil Referral Units in Thurrock, before becoming the assistant director of education and inclusion at St Helens metropolitan borough council.
Two years later she joined Newham council as director of children’s services, before moving to Waltham Forest in 2013.
Islington council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz said: “Linzi has been a tireless champion for our borough, working with the Council’s Executive to deliver community-focused services throughout her time in Islington.
“She led our response to the pandemic, supporting our staff to help local people during the scariest of times, and worked alongside us in developing our mission to tackle inequality, rooted in the lived experiences of our communities. Many people have seen first-hand Linzi’s commitment to improving the lives of our residents and her passion for public service.”
Opposition leader the Green’s Benali Hamdache said: “I have always found Linzi a great and collaborative CEO and always receptive to the opposition.”
The council will put interim arrangements in place over the coming weeks, as it recruits its next chief executive.
