Ex-Tower Hamlets chief gets new job as council votes in new boss

As a new Town Hall chief is voted in the council's former chief executive gets a job at another borough, only two months after leaving Tower Hamlets. Kevan Collins was formally by councillors

By Else Kvist

As a new Town Hall chief is voted in the council's former chief executive gets a job at another borough, only two months after leaving Tower Hamlets.

Kevan Collins was formally approved as chief executive at Tower Hamlets, a job carrying a yearly salary of �190,000, at this week's full council meeting.

Mr Collins had been acting chief executive since Martin Smith's controversial departure. Mr Smith accepted a settlement of over �300,000 following negotiations between the council and his union. Council leader Lutfur Rahman later announced a "new approach" across services was needed at Tower Hamlets.

But this morning the Advertiser has learned that Mr Smith has been appointed chief executive by Ealing Council.

Deputy leader to the Tory opposition Tim Archer said: "It's ironic, as we appoint a new chief executive Martin gets a job with another council. Ealing obviously thinks he's a good chief executive. Don't get me wrong Kevan Collins is a good chief executive as well. But the council spent all that money on Martin's pay-out."

It is understood the two councils had been competing for applicants during the recruitment process for a new chief executive.