Ian Davis is currently the Chief Executive of Enfield Council, having served in that role since 2017. His appointment was recommended by a cross-party appointments committee and following an extensive recruitment process. He is expected to take up the new role in Lambeth in early 2025.
As Enfield Chief Executive, he has led the council’s significant regeneration programme including a borough-wide estate renewal of 3,000 homes, the £6bn Meridian Water scheme of 10,000 homes as well as driving through a council-wide cultural change programme focused on fairness, equality, and overseeing continuous improvements in children’s services.
Mr Davis was previously also Enfield’s Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration and Environment where he successfully integrated the ALMO and established Enfield’s vision for Crossrail. He has a background of almost 30 years of experience in local government.
Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council said: “I’m delighted that Lambeth’s Appointments Committee has appointed Ian Davis to be the council’s new Chief Executive, subject to approval at Full Council in early 2025.
“Ian is a local government leader with significant experience of driving service improvement and delivering better outcomes for residents. His wealth of experience, knowledge and commitment will be crucial to supporting the council to deliver our Lambeth 2030 ambitions especially in the challenging financial times that local government faces.
“I want to pay tribute to the council’s Acting Chief Executive Fiona Connolly for her outstanding leadership, professionalism and integrity in taking on the role since the summer. She will continue to play a key role in Lambeth’s leadership team, and in continuing to drive forward improvements in our housing and adult social care services.”
Ian Davis said: “It is a huge honour to have been selected as Lambeth Council’s new Chief Executive. Lambeth is an iconic borough with huge potential and the borough’s Lambeth 2030 vision sets out a clear and compelling vision for the future that I look forward to working with you all to deliver.
“It is great to be joining a well-established team, working with the senior officer leadership, the administration, led by Cllr Claire Holland, and local communities that are passionate about where they live and ambitious about the future.
“The commitment to equity and justice really resonated with me when applying for the role and the council’s values are those that I have strongly believed in throughout my Local Government career.”
Fiona Connolly, Lambeth’s Acting Chief Executive said: “I’d like to congratulate Ian Davis on his appointment as Lambeth Council’s new Chief Executive. He brings significant experience from his existing role at Enfield which will be crucial for the council as we deal with a very challenging set of financial circumstances.
“He will find a council that is hugely passionate about delivering for residents, with a group of staff who are deeply committed to making Lambeth a better place for everyone who lives and works here.”
