Hammersmith and Fulham Council Chief to Step Down
Derek Myers is London's highest paid Chief Executive
Derek Myers, joint chief executive of Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea is to step down.
Earlier this year it was revealed that Mr Myers is the highest earning council chief in London, earning £266,991 per annum.
He was appointed as Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) in 2000. In October 2011 he also took the helm at Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) following radical plans to combine a range of services, cut management costs and protect front line services.
With Hammersmith and Fulham electing a new leader last year and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea about to choose a new leader, the council announcement says Mr Myers has decided that now is the right time to go to allow the two council leaders to appoint a new joint Chief Executive, ready for the next round of challenges.
Announcing his decision, Derek Myers said: " I have had the best job in local government for 13 years and a total of 16 years as a London chief executive and it seems right to get out of the way and let someone else have a go. In time, I hope to use some of what I have learned in other places.
" I’m very pleased to say that although there have been many challenges I’ve had enormous fun and had the privilege of working with extremely dedicated councillors and officers everyday to help individuals fulfil their potential, preserve their independence or just enjoy living in a marvellous part of London."
The move will allow the two councils to advertise in June and enable a managed handover later in the year.
Councillor Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Leader says: " By taking on the challenge of joint Chief Executive Derek led the way in reducing management costs while helping to improve council services in many areas.
" Derek has devoted his life to public service and has been a major force in the Tri-borough plans to improve the lives of residents by sharing best practice and reducing duplication and waste.”
Derek Myers was Chair of SOLACE for four years until autumn 2012. He was also Chair of Capital Ambition, the improvement and efficiency partnership for London for four years when London councils went from sixth best performing region to best performing. In addition he was also on the Department of Health Board for four years.
Before joining RBKC, Mr Myers was chief executive at the London Borough of Hounslow and before that its director of social services. He holds degrees in economics and law and is a qualified social worker. He was named as third most important figure in local government in LGC’s last Top 50 list.
According to figures obtained in March by the Evening Standard through a Freedom of Information request, Mr Myers currently has a take-home package of £209,800 salary, plus a £10,500 bonus and £46,700 towards his pension pot.
April 24, 2013
