Harrow Council today announced that Sean Harriss, former Bolton and Lambeth CEO, is being recommended for appointment as the council’s new Chief Executive.
Councillors will vote on the appointment at their next meeting.
Cllr Graham Henson, Leader of Harrow Council, led the councillor panel that is recommending the appointment. Cllr Henson said: “Sean was the panel’s agreed choice from an extremely accomplished field of candidates. We were impressed by Sean’s leadership experience in a wide variety of local government contexts and by his track record of delivering outstanding public services. We are certain he will do an excellent job here.”
Sean Harriss said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to be recommended as Harrow’s new Chief Executive. My first impressions are that Harrow has a lot going for it. It has a strong community spirit, and it’s a diverse, prosperous and high-achieving borough, where people want to get on. I want to help make that a possibility for everyone who calls Harrow home, and I very much look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Sean Harriss has worked in local government since 1991 and in 2007 became Chief Executive of Bolton Council. In 2014 Sean was instrumental in securing devolution for the Greater Manchester region. In the first meaningful shift of powers from Whitehall of its kind, the region acquired significant new budgetary and decision-making responsibilities. The following year, he made the move to the London Borough of Lambeth. He’s currently CEO of the London shared service oneSource.
The new Chief Executive is set to take up his post on 4 February. He will take over from Tom Whiting, who has served as interim Chief Executive since Michael Lockwood left the council at the end of 2017. Tom will be leaving Harrow Council after 14 years to join the Independent Office for Police Conduct as Deputy Director General.
