It is reported that

Lewisham Council has announced chief executive Ian Thomas is stepping down at the end of the year, after only six months in the post.
This came after Lewisham Council decided to “take a new direction," a council spokesperson said.

“Ian Thomas was appointed by Lewisham Council before the last local elections under the previous administration,” they said.

“Since May 2018, the new administration in Lewisham has reviewed its ways of working. With no negative reflection on Ian, it has been decided to take a new direction and following a constructive dialogue with Ian, he has agreed to step aside from his role at the end of this year.

“The council and the Mayor of Lewisham wish Ian well in his future career and thank him for his contribution during his time as chief executive of Lewisham Council.”

Mr Thomas began the role in March, following a “rigorous selection process,” according to Lewisham Council documents, and was on an annual salary of between £175k and £185k.

His previous work includes improving Rotherham’s children services following a child sex exploitation scandal in 2014.

He was appointed to the role after Barry Quirk, who had been the council’s chief executive since 1994 but had been working part time since 2011, was appointed as chief executive for Kensington and Chelsea, following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017.