Islington Council appoints three new Directors to help build a fairer Islington

The new appointees are:

• Julie Foy, Director of Human Resources
• Paul Clarke, Director of Finance
• Jon Cumming, Director of Digital Services

Julie Foy is currently Head of Human Resources at the London Borough of Southwark, where she oversaw development of the local authority’s workforce strategy, pay and grading frameworks, policy reviews and equality plans. Prior to this Julie held a range of senior roles at the London Borough of Camden. Julie is also the Chair of London Councils Heads of HR Network. In that role, Julie led the network’s emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic, drawing together a virtual London HR team to develop joint policy on Covid workforce matters including emergency deployment and sharing best practice and professional support during the crisis.

As the council’s new Director of Human Resources, Julie will deliver the council’s current Workforce Strategy, building capacity and developing organisational capability and promoting diversity and inclusion, while ensuring that the council continues to provide engaged, customer-focused services that meet the needs of residents.

Julie is expected to start her new role in November.

Paul Clarke is currently Deputy Section 151 Officer at the London Borough of Barnet, responsible for the delivery of the finance function within the authority. An exceptional accountant with hands-on experience of local authority finances, Paul co-produced Barnet’s aligned Corporate Plan & Budget and led in the development and implementation of the Council’s financial strategy. He also led on a significant insourcing project of Barnet Council’s finance service, which he used as an opportunity to build dedicated job and development opportunities for care leavers and apprentices from underrepresented backgrounds. Prior to this, Paul held senior finance positions in the City of Westminster, Oldham and Blackpool Councils.

As the council’s new Director of Finance, Paul will guide the council’s financial decisions and lead management of the council’s budgets, ensuring that public money is safeguarded at all times and used appropriately, economically and effectively.

Paul is also expected to begin his new role in November.

Jon Cumming, who has been leading on defining and shaping Islington’s digital service at Islington Council since July 2018, will take up the role on a permanent basis from 7 September. During his time at Islington, he has overseen the council’s much needed infrastructure renewal programme which has included new Windows10 laptops, a major network upgrade, telephony systems replacement as well as the upgrade of many line of business applications.  The work of Jon and his team proved vitally important to the council’s pandemic response as the council’s desk-based staff began working from home at short notice and in large numbers.  Digital Services provided much needed emergency support and collaboration services to enable staff to support our residents in this challenging time.

Originally from the telecommunications sector, Jon was the Chief Information Officer for the Department of Corrections in New Zealand for seven years and the Chief Digital Officer for the Australian Capital Territory for a further three before his return to the UK.

Now formally confirmed as the council’s Director of Digital Services, Jon will continue to provide strategic leadership for Digital Services, empowering the day-to-day activities of council staff and partners as they support residents.

Cllr Satnam Gill, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, said:

“I’m delighted to announce these three senior appointments to the council's management team.

“As we re-imagine and re-design our services around the people in our community, it is essential for our workforce to perform consistently to the highest standards. I’m excited to begin working with the newest members of our senior management team and benefit from their extensive experience as we work to ensure our residents have the services and support they need.”