Council chief quits for top health job

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Local Government and also in Central Government

Croydon Council's chief executive is quitting his post to take up a role with the Department of Health.

Jon Rouse joined the council in 2007 after previously holding the CEO post at the Housing Corporation.

The 44-year-old has also held the CEO position at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

He said earlier this week that housing was the council's "number one priority" after it was revealed that the local authority was searching southern England for properties for its large homeless population.

Mr Rouse has now accepted the role of Director General of Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships.

He has held a wide range of non-executive positions with organisations including English Partnerships and Homelessness International, and was appointed to the board of the Department of Health in 2009, where he also served on the audit committee.

Announcing his move this week, Mr Rouse said: "Over the last five and half years I have been privileged to serve alongside some very talented and committed colleagues, elected members and residents, who have dedicated themselves to transforming the borough. I have been inspired by their creativity and compassion in addressing some of the challenges we have faced.

"From a personal perspective, while I am looking forward to taking on this new challenge, the decision to move on has been tremendously difficult. I will be extremely sad to leave but will always have a great affection for Croydon and its residents.

"There are many exciting things happening in Croydon over the coming years and I have full confidence that the management of the authority is in good hands."

Cllr Mike Fisher, leader of the council, said: "I am very pleased for Jon who will make an excellent Director General at the Department of Health.

"Jon has been an outstanding servant of Croydon and during his tenure I have admired his first-rate leadership qualities and his passion for serving the public.

"I’d like to thank him for the huge contribution he has made over the last five and half years. He has helped transform the council into one of the best performing and most efficient local authorities in the country, our schools are now achieving above the national average and standards continue to rise, and we have just embarked on the largest swathe of regeneration projects since the 1960s which will transform our town and serve Croydon well for generations to come.

"We will miss him hugely, and wish him well for the future."