New executive director for Housing and Social Services

12 September 2003

Jean Daintith has been appointed as the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's new Executive Director for Housing and Social Services.

Ms Daintith is currently Director of Social Services for Stockport Metopolitan Borough Council and has some 28 years' experience in the housing and social services fields, with much of this experience gained while working for the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.

Ms Daintith worked in London till she took up post in Stockport in February 2001 and has made significant improvements to its Social Services in the last two and a half years. Recent inspections have been positive and Stockport has been recognised as having fast-improving Social Services.

Her new role will mark a return to the Royal Borough for Ms Daintith, who worked as a Social Worker in Kensington and Chelsea for five years earlier in her career.

Ms Daintith is expected to join the Council in late December 2003, taking over from interim Director Michael Leadbetter.

Talking of taking up her new post Ms Daintith said: "The Royal Borough is a very special place to work and I am really pleased that I will be working for the Council again. I enjoyed enormously the time I spent in North Kensington and will enjoy the challenges that we face in working in an urban and diverse environment.

"I think that the Royal Borough's Housing and Social Services have always been at the forefront of good practice and innovation. I am looking forward to working with all staff in arranging and providing the very best services in the capital and to working with our many partners as well.

"When I start my new job, I hope to meet as many staff as possible, as well as colleagues and other key partners, service users and carers. Overall I am delighted to be able to lead Housing and Social Services over the coming years."

Notes for Editors For a photo of Jean Daintith please contact Media and Communications.