• SARAH Hayward has undertaken one of the most difficult challenges Camden has ever faced and has delivered benefits for our residents and businesses that are way beyond what could have been expected.

From the moment that the prospect of the HS2 development appeared on our landscape, Sarah has focused all her considerable energies on securing meaningful outcomes for the area.

For example, the £3.5million additional Community Fund for Camden, secured through intense, determined, one-to-one negotiation with HS2 Ltd, only occurred because of Sarah’s personal intervention.

This is not the normal lobbying one might expect from a council leader – particularly when it could come at significant personal cost should it have back-fired.

This is typical of Sarah, putting herself on the line for her area and turning what many saw as an impossible situation to our advantage.

Showing creativity in approach, at the same time as keeping multiple stakeholders engaged, is no easy feat at any time. To be doing so on top of her day job, during the largest cutbacks we have ever seen, is truly impressive.

Sarah is not just an ambassador for our part of London, she has shown that times of struggle and strife can produce remarkable outcomes if one is prepared to commit absolutely to the task.

We, the businesses of Camden, wish her well in her next adventure.

SIMON PITKEATHLEY
Chief Executive
Camden Town Unlimited