Town Hall confirms Jon Rowney as next chief executive

Camden Council has approved the appointment Jon Rowney as the Town Hall’s new chief executive.

Last night, councillors rubber-stamped the nomination of Mr Rowney to lead the borough’s services, after it was first announced earlier this month.

He is to take the reins from Jenny Rowlands, who resigned in February after six years in the job.

Rowlands, who will step down at the end of the summer, said her time as chief executive had been “the privilege of my working life”.

Leader Richard Olszewski (Labour) said Rowney’s appointment came from Camden’s search for a “visionary, purpose-led leader”.

“Jon embodies our values and vision, leads with compassion, curiosity and courage, and is committed to continued learning,” he said.

“I’m proud that we have someone of his calibre set to be leading our council.”

He praised Rowlands for “transforming Camden’s organisation” during her time in the top administrative job.

“I am immensely grateful for the outstanding legacy she leaves behind, and the foundations she has secured for the future generations of our borough.”

In the chamber, he likened his professional relationship with Rowlands to that of a mafia boss and their “consigliere”, as popularised by The Godfather.

“It’s not really a ‘Tom Hagen’ role – we’re not really going down that route,” he said, “but she has given that sort of advice, which is an important role of a chief executive to fulfil.”

Mr Rowney has worked for the local authority since 2015 and has previously served as director of finance, and later as executive director of corporate services.

A qualified accountant, prior to Camden he worked for Hammersmith and Fulham Council in a variety of roles.

Between 2011 and 2015, he was head of fair funding, performance and procurement at London Councils, the representative body for the 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

In 2021, he became a trustee of the domestic violence charity Refuge.

In his earlier statement, Olszewski said: “Jon leads the council’s missions for ending violence and abuse against women and girls – a cause he is deeply committed to.”

At a full council meeting last night, members from across the political divide paid tribute to Rowlands.

Leader of the opposition Cllr Tom Simon (Lib Dem, Belsize), said: “Jenny’s leadership has been characterised by a calm professionalism, warmth, and approachability.”

“Camden will be poorer without you at the helm, and you’ll be missed, but the strong foundation that has been laid means we can all be confident when you pass on the torch it will remain in safe hands”.

He welcomed the “committed, careful and thoughtful” Rowney to his new role.

Conservative leader, Cllr Steve Adams (Frognal) praised Rowland’s “marvellous humour”, and told her successor his selection had been “positively unanimous”.

He told Rowney: “I want you to carry on with your superpower, and help us carry on in Camden, and develop it further”.

Olszewski added that the council had made sure the recruitment process to find a new chief executive had been rigorous, open and competitive because it was “the best local government job in the country”.