Clay takes top law role at London Borough of Tower Hamlets

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has appointed Melanie Clay as the corporate director for its Law, Probity and Governance (LPG) directorate.

Clay will join Tower Hamlets on 17 September. She is currently chief legal and democratic services officer and monitoring officer, senior responsible officer (SRO), Governance and Compliance, at Central Bedfordshire Council.

Clay will take over from Meic Sullivan-Gould, who has been working for Tower Hamlets on an interim basis.

The London borough has also appointed Zena Cooke, currently director of Regeneration and Communities and chief finance officer at Maidstone Borough Council, as its corporate director for Resources. Cooke will join on 1 August.

John Biggs, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “The new directors are experienced local government officers who have worked in a number of councils at a senior level. We look forward to the contribution that they will bring to our already strong Corporate Management Team.”

Biggs added that Tower Hamlets would be advertising the vacancy for chief executive this week.