Council and democracy

Croydon appoints Dave Hill as executive director for children

He will move across the borough boundary to become Croydon's executive director for children, young people and learners, in September.

He took on his present role as director of children, schools and families in Merton in October 2005 after five years at Tower Hamlets where he had been head of children's services.

In Croydon he will be one of a small, newly restructured council management team being assembled under chief executive Jon Rouse. He will also be expected to take responsibility for the major secondary schools review on which the council has just launched an extensive public consultation programme.

Croydon will be the eighth London borough in which Dave has worked since embarking on a public sector career with Southwark as a residential social worker in 1977. His career progress has also involved spells in Hackney, Greenwich, Westminster and Havering before joining Tower Hamlets in 2000 and helping the east enders' children's department jump from a one star to a three star rating.

More recently, in Merton, he formed and led a new directorate which achieved a good outcome in inspections. He also oversaw the opening of two city academies in record time.

With an MSc in public service management and a certificate of qualification in social work, Dave has professional expertise in all the areas being sought by Croydon. He lives in south east London with his family and two secondary age daughters.

Said Croydon's cabinet member for children's services and adult learning, Councillor Maria Gatland: "We're delighted to have been able to persuade such a high-performing director to sign up for the new vision we're implementing in Croydon. We were seeking a natural leader with a proven track record and a flair for innovation. In appointing Dave Hill, I believe we have been able to strengthen an area of great importance to the borough while also bringing wide experience to our corporate management function."

Her counterpart at Merton, cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Debbie Shears said: "Dave has made a wonderful contribution to the lives of Merton's children. Under his leadership, Merton's education standards have vastly improved. He will be missed. We wish him well in his new and challenging role at Croydon."

Dave Hill is the second external appointment to Croydon's team of executive directors. Tom Jeffrey, executive director for community services, switched from Sutton earlier this month.