Paul Kitson is one of three new senior leadership appointments announced by the East London local authority.
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London City Council hires Birmingham-born former Homes England director for top housing post #ukhousing
Mr Kitson has joined Newham Council as Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy, Housing and Culture.
He joins from Birmingham City Council and is currently Strategic Director for Place, Prosperity and Sustainability.
He joined Birmingham at the end of 2021 and is said to have worked on launching ‘Our Future City Plan’ and securing development partners for several regeneration schemes.
Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Homes England, where he was regional director for the South East and interim executive director of markets, partners and places.
Mr Kitson said: “Newham has many of the most exciting regeneration development plans in London, if not the city, and we are working with the Mayor, the Executive and the Newham community to deliver them and deliver them to date. We will further strengthen the strong efforts we have made.
“It is more important than ever that the whole borough feels the benefits of the development taking place in the borough and I look forward to taking this initiative forward.”
He will be joined in the new role by Laura Eden, who has been appointed corporate director of children and young people.
She joins from Islington Council where she was Director of Safeguarding.
Finally, Adrian Thomas has joined the London Council as Chief Marketing Officer.
Mr Thomas has been Unison’s communications director since 2021 and previously served as marketing and communications director for Barts Charity.
Newham Mayor Roxana Fiaz said: Laura, Adrian and Paul are highly accomplished leaders who have driven significant change and innovation in their previous roles, and I look forward to working with them all to take on the challenge of building a fairer Newham for all of us. I look forward to promoting it. Newham is as ambitious as I am.
“The wealth of passion, experience and knowledge they bring will be critical as we continue to address the pressures currently facing councils across the country.”
All three new appointments are expected to begin their new roles in March and April.
The end of last year, Inside the housing Newham has revealed plans to buy 172 residential blocks in Essex as part of an accelerated acquisition program to ease temporary accommodation pressure.
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