Jon Rowney is Camden’s chief executive

THERE was no white smoke billowing out of a chimney at Camden’s offices, but we have a decision in the council’s search for a new chief executive.

And in the end it didn’t have to look very far after the announcement came that Jon Rowney will be promoted to the top job at the Town Hall.

He is currently Camden’s executive director of corporate services and councillors were convinced he is ready for the step up to the £230,000-a-year position.

Jenny Rowlands, the current chief exec who has been at Camden for eight years, announced her plans to depart earlier this year, opening up a vacancy.

It is a highly-coveted role in local government circles due to the high profile nature of the local authority and its regular appearance in national discourse.

The New Journal understands that a former Labour leader of another council in London was among the final contenders, as well as two other strong candidates.

Mr Rowney will now be at the helm for the huge challenges which lie ahead including the continued strained budget choices, a rising social care bill, falling school rolls and the need to resolve the HS2 conundrum around the wasteland near Euston.

“I was looking for a visionary, purpose-led leader. Someone who shares our values and vision, leads with compassion, curiosity and courage, and is committed to continued learning,” said council leader Councillor Richard Olszewski said.

“Jon embodies all these great qualities, and I’m proud that we have someone of his calibre set to be leading our council.

“He has led the development and delivery of Camden’s financial strategy – one of our greatest assets that has enabled us to direct our very limited resources towards the areas that will provide the very best support to our residents and communities.”

Mr Rowney is a trustee of Refuge, the domestic abuse survivor charity, and has played an active role in the council’s campaign against domestic violence and abuse, speaking candidly about his own lived experience.

His appointment was officially confirmed at last night’s (Wednesday’s) all-member meeting of councillors.

Cllr Olszewski also said that Ms Rowlands should be acknowledged for having a “transfor­mational” role in the chief executive’s office.

She was also promoted from within after taking over from Mike Cooke in 2019 and formed a close working relationship with former council leader Georgia Gould – now the Labour MP for Maida Vale.

They faced the successive crises of the Chalcots evacuation, Covid and now cost-of-living.

As the serving chief executive last year, it was Ms Rowlands’ job to read out the historic results in the Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary committee which confirmed Sir Keir Starmer had been elected as MP on the night he also became the UK’s new Prime Minister.

“I am immensely grateful for the outstanding legacy she leaves behind and the foundations she has secured for the future generations of our borough,” said Cllr Olszewski.