Isle of Wight chief executive Joe Duckworth has been headhunted after just two years in the job to become the new chief executive of the Olympic London Borough of Newham.
Mr Duckworth, who joined the Isle of Wight in 2006, has held a variety of senior posts across the public sector including York and Hackney councils and before joining the Isle of Wight was deputy chief executive at the London borough of Westminster.
His appointment to the Newham post, originally advertised at £200,000 a year last May, follows a long process to find a candidate after councillors failed late last year to decide on appointing the then recommendation, a private sector executive, to the job.
Newham's directly-elected mayor Sir Robin Wales said: 'Joe has proven leadership talents, a wealth of strategic and operational skills in local government and an impressive record in delivering high quality services.He has done an excellent job on the Isle of Wight especially in developing its Eco Island vision and now we are going to benefit.
'I am looking forward to working with him to drive up performance in frontline services, delivering a green vision for Newham and ensuring that internal changes such as our move to Building 1000 and budget savings provide us with a capacity for continuous improvement.'
The post is likely to carry with it a knighthood if the Olympics in 2012 go according to plan, as it is usual custom for chief executives presiding over major international events to receive an award as happened to Birmingham's Sir Michael Lyons (the G8) and Manchester's Sir Howard Bernstein (Commonwealth Games).
Sir Robin added: 'The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 will bring Newham to the forefront of world attention and Joe’s experience in strong governance and financial controls will be invaluable.”
Mr Duckworth said: 'I am looking forward to working alongside Sir Robin and dealing with the challenge that such a diverse and thriving borough offers. My ambition for Newham is simple. We will deliver excellent services for our communities and make sure local people get the most out of the 2012 Games and the regeneration of the borough.'
Joe Duckworth arrived at the Isle of Wight in 2006 on a salary of £150,000 to be greeted by the local press welcoming him as the highest paid public sector official ever to work on the island. His salary subsequently blew the council's payroll system which had never previously handled six figures.
Mr Duckworth, who joined the Isle of Wight in 2006, has held a variety of senior posts across the public sector including York and Hackney councils and before joining the Isle of Wight was deputy chief executive at the London borough of Westminster.
His appointment to the Newham post, originally advertised at £200,000 a year last May, follows a long process to find a candidate after councillors failed late last year to decide on appointing the then recommendation, a private sector executive, to the job.
Newham's directly-elected mayor Sir Robin Wales said: 'Joe has proven leadership talents, a wealth of strategic and operational skills in local government and an impressive record in delivering high quality services.He has done an excellent job on the Isle of Wight especially in developing its Eco Island vision and now we are going to benefit.
'I am looking forward to working with him to drive up performance in frontline services, delivering a green vision for Newham and ensuring that internal changes such as our move to Building 1000 and budget savings provide us with a capacity for continuous improvement.'
The post is likely to carry with it a knighthood if the Olympics in 2012 go according to plan, as it is usual custom for chief executives presiding over major international events to receive an award as happened to Birmingham's Sir Michael Lyons (the G8) and Manchester's Sir Howard Bernstein (Commonwealth Games).
Sir Robin added: 'The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 will bring Newham to the forefront of world attention and Joe’s experience in strong governance and financial controls will be invaluable.”
Mr Duckworth said: 'I am looking forward to working alongside Sir Robin and dealing with the challenge that such a diverse and thriving borough offers. My ambition for Newham is simple. We will deliver excellent services for our communities and make sure local people get the most out of the 2012 Games and the regeneration of the borough.'
Joe Duckworth arrived at the Isle of Wight in 2006 on a salary of £150,000 to be greeted by the local press welcoming him as the highest paid public sector official ever to work on the island. His salary subsequently blew the council's payroll system which had never previously handled six figures.
