Barbara Hughes to be interim manager for children in Croydon

She is taking over until the council appoints a full-time successor to Peter Wylie, who has retired.

The council considers itself fortunate to have attracted a skilled operator with the breadth of education understanding that Barbara can bring while it is recruiting a permanent executive director.

Until 2004 Barbara, 55, had been executive director of South Tyneside Council, where she led a team that turned around the north east council's performance following a critical Ofsted inspection.

In her subsequent independent career she has assisted several major education authorities, including Manchester City Council where she spent six months leading the city's Building Schools for the Future and Academies programmes. Most recently she has been head of business transformation with Reading Borough Council's children's services department.

With proven strengths in strategic leadership, change management and performance improvement, Barbara is regarded as an outstanding interim manager who will be able to take Croydon forward while the chief officer recruitment process is under way.

Said chief executive Jon Rouse: "Barbara Hughes is a top performer in education. She has an excellent track record of delivery in her chosen career as an interim manager and she has clearly helped a range of councils overcome substantial shortcomings in their services for children and young people."

Said cabinet member for children, young people and learners, Councillor Maria Gatland: "I am delighted that we have been able to bring Barbara Hughes to Croydon. She knows education inside out, from 11 years at the sharp end as a teacher and then during 19 years as a results-driven education manager in local government. I am particularly impressed with the evidence of her leadership skills. Her experience will help develop our services for young people over the next six months. We have reached a critical stage in our plans for addressing the priorities of pupils and parents and it's important we don't stand still while recruiting a new executive director."

Barbara will take up her post in Croydon on 14 April and remain with the council until a substantive director has been appointed and takes up post.
 
Meanwhile the council has also made progress in recruiting to other senior posts in the children, young people and learners department. The three assistant directors have been in post since December: Steve Liddicott as AD for planning, performance and commissioning; Barbara Peacock for development and care; and Alison Critchley as AD for partnerships and learning.

Three of the seven heads of service posts have also been filled: Julie Briant with responsibility for partnerships; David Bradshaw for resources; and Linda Wright with responsibility for youth and social inclusion. Two additional external appointments have now been made: Mandy Miller as head of learning and schools and Janet Ellis as head of social care. Both are expected to take up their posts in early June.

The council will be re-advertising shortly for the head of planning, performance and commissioning, and a head of SEN and learning disability.

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