Chief Executive of Lambeth Council quits

The chief executive of Lambeth Council has quit after four years in the job.

Andrew Travers said he would step down from the role in June 2022.

He joined the South London council as temporary chief executive in 2017, before taking on the position permanently in July 2018.

Mr Travers led the local authority through the fallout of the enquiry into child abuse at Lambeth children's homes between the 1950s and 1980s.

Following the Streatham terror attack in February 2020, he was tasked with rebuilding trust between communities.

In his last few months at the council, he will see it through the upcoming May 2022 local elections.

Mr Travers said: "Lambeth is an incredible place to be – and it has been a genuine privilege for me to fulfill what I consider to be one of the best jobs in local government.

"While this has been a difficult decision, now that the worst of Covid-19 pandemic appears to be behind us and with the local elections just four months away, now feels like the right time to consider other opportunities."

Mr Travers listed the Lambeth redress scheme, which paid out over £70 million in compensation to historic victims of child abuse in Lambeth children's homes, among his achievements.

Lambeth council leader Cllr Claire Holland thanked Mr Travers for directing the council through some of its most difficult years ever.

In a statement, she said: "On behalf of all elected members, our hard-working staff and our borough partners, I would like to say a huge 'thank you' to Andrew for his unwavering support and leadership during some of the most challenging times in Lambeth's recent history.

"Andrew has played an absolutely pivotal role in changing Lambeth for the better. He has led from the front on the future of London's economy and has made supporting businesses, employment and the local economy a priority throughout his time at the helm."

She went on to thank Mr Travers for his efforts to tackle violence in the borough and his work on public health.

An accountant by training, Mr Travers was previously director of the London Development Agency where he oversaw the 2012 London Olympics.

Before joining Lambeth, he was chief excutive of Barnet Council.

Lambeth Council will start recruiting for a new chief executive later in February and expects to appoint by June 2022.

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