Olympic borough, Waltham Forest LBC, has launched its search for a chief executive, with a salary on offer of up to £200,000. The council has had an interim, Roger Taylor, in charge since the departure of its previous chief, Jacquie Dean, last year, while leader, Clyde Loakes, is the youngest among London boroughs. The three-star, ‘improving well' authority is one of the five Olympic host boroughs, and says the challenge for its next chief will be preparing for the Olympics, improving community cohesion and helping the council deliver its leadership agenda. It also hopes its search will be more successful than that of neighbouring Newham, which also offered a £200,000 package but has so failed to appoint. And Hackney LBC has finally confirmed the name of its new chief executive – Tim Shields – who has been interim top officer since May 2007. Mr Shields has been corporate director of finance and resources at the London borough since December 2003, and has been interim chief executive since May, after the departure of the previous top officer, Penny Thompson. ‘Mr Shields has a track record of consistent achievement at senior level and has made an outstanding contribution to the council,' said Hackney mayor Jules Pipe. Mr Shields has more than 27 years' experience in local government and has also held posts at Wandsworth and Lambeth LBCs. Gravesham BC has appointed Glyn Thompson as its new chief executive. Mr Thompson has been acting managing director at the council since Jim Wintour's departure last November. He joined Gravesham BC in 1996 as director of environmental services, and became executive director of community services in May 2001.
