Ian Thomas (town clerk)

Ian Thomas
CBE
Born1969
Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
NationalityBritish
OccupationTown Clerk & Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation

Ian Cornelius Thomas CBE (born 1969) is an English local government official. He became the 51st Town Clerk of London and the chief executive of the City of London Corporation in 2023, having previously worked in local government for over 20 years.[1]

Early life

Born in South Yorkshire to parents from Jamaica who immigrated to England as part of the Windrush generation, Thomas originally wanted to be a footballer and was signed to Sheffield United until a back injury. He is related to Jessica Ennis-Hill.[2]

Thomas attended Newfield Secondary School, Sheffield, before pursuing further studies, graduating as MA in professional practice (change management) from Lancaster University in 2007.[2]

Career

Thomas started his career in public service at Trafford Council in 1999, and then joined Derbyshire County Council (2006–14), becoming director of children’s services from 2011 to 2014. During this time, the number of children in Derbyshire who achieved five or more GCSEs trebled in a single year. Ofsted praised Thomas's leadership for creating "a culture of learning, support and challenge."[2]

Rotherham Borough Council

Thomas was initially headhunted on a one-year contract by Malcolm Newsam, the children's social care commissioner appointed by the government to oversee children's and young people's services in Rotherham in the wake of the Jay Report by Professor Alexis Jay.[2] As Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's strategic director for children and young people from 2015 until 2018,[3] Thomas transformed the council's social services,[4] being appointed CBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to local government and children's services in the wake of the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal.[1]

Lewisham Council and Kingston upon Thames Council

He was chief executive of the London Borough of Lewisham in 2018, before serving as CEO of the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames (2019–23) where he led a £1.2bn regeneration programme providing an additional 1,338 new homes in Kingston,[5] plus investment in schools, leisure and cultural facilities, new jobs and apprenticeships, and inward investment, including Unilever's new global HQ.[1]

Corporation of the City of London

Appointed Town Clerk and chief executive of the City Corporation in February 2023, Thomas also oversees the City of London Police Authority. As Town Clerk, a position dating back to the 13th century, Thomas acts as head of the paid service, leading over 4,000 City Corporation staff, and is principal advisor to elected Commoners on matters of policy.[1][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "City Corporation appoints new Town Clerk and Chief Executive". www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.
  2. ^ a b c d Pidd, Helen (17 December 2014). "Incoming Rotherham children's chief: 'It's the most difficult job in Britain'". The Guardian.
  3. ^ "Children's services in Rotherham 'transformed' since CSE scandal". CYP Now.
  4. ^ "New Year's Honour for Ian Thomas for leading transformation in wake of Rotherham CSE scandals". Yorkshire Post. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  5. ^ Dalton, Emily (17 November 2022). "Kingston Council Chief Executive leaving for City of London role". Kingston Courier. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  6. ^ "City Officers: The Town Clerk". Livery Committee. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
Civic offices
Preceded by Town Clerk of London
2023–present 		Succeeded by
in office