Council appoints permanent chief exec

Andy Donald has been appointed as the permanent chief executive of Haringey Council.  

The appointment has been described by the council in a press release as a “major coup” because Andy “is regarded as one of the best chief executives in the capital”.

Andy had taken over on an interim basis back in February and had already made a number of connections in the borough, including with Eastern European communities over the Ukrainian refugee crisis. He lives with his family in Hackney and has spent the vast majority of his 30-year career working for London local authorities.

Andy was originally brought in to replace Zina Etheridge, who left Haringey Civic Centre to become chief executive officer designate of north-east London’s health and care partnership.

His appointment will be subject to confirmation by councillors on Wednesday.

Andy was previously chief executive of Redbridge Council in East London. During his five-year tenure, the authority was recognised for its outstanding children’s and adult services and was shortlisted twice for the MJ Council of the Year award. He also led Redbridge’s ‘child friendly borough’ initiative, growth commission and community hubs work, and “put engagement and collaboration with the community at the heart of what the council does”.

Andy was also the lead chief executive for housing and regeneration across the capital and the pandemic response in north-east London.