London Councils bolster leadership team » Local Government » 24dash.com

London Councils has today announced the appointment of Steve Johnson as the Corporate Director of Capital Ambition – the capital’s Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.

Mr Johnson, currently the Director of Customer Services and Performance at the London Borough of Redbridge, will take up his new position on Monday 29 September.

In his new role Mr Johnson will be tasked with supporting and energising London’s public services so that they improve further and faster than they otherwise may have done. This will be achieved through targeted financial support, sharing of good practice, and identifying people that can provide expertise through peer support.

Welcoming the new appointment, London Councils’ Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said: “This appointment underlines London Councils’ ambition to drive forward the improvement and efficiency programme across the capital, to help ensure that Londoners receive first class value for money services.

“Steve Johnson has dealt with a number of issues which are relevant to the Capital Ambition agenda, including the development of the innovative Redbridgei to help the council communicate more effectively with its local residents.

“He also has had direct experience of improving and transforming customer services following his time at the HM Revenue and Customs and the War Pensions Agency."

Mr Johnson said: “I am looking forward to joining London Councils at what is an exciting time in London local government.

“London’s local councils already deliver some of the best services in the UK, but residents will rightly expect more and look to their councils to deliver on the big issues for Londoners - including maximising the opportunity of the Olympics in 2012. This is especially important at a time when public finances will increasingly be tighter.

“It’s a great challenge and I am looking forward to it immensely.”