Ian Thomas (town clerk)

Ian Thomas CBE
Ian Thomas, Town Clerk of London (2023)
Born	15 September 1969 Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
Nationality	British
Alma mater	University of Lancaster (MA)
Occupation	Town Clerk & Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation
Awards	CBE

Ian Cornelius Thomas CBE (born 15 September 1969), is a British local government official.

Having served in local government for over 20 years, in 2023 Thomas was appointed as the 51st Town Clerk of London and Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation. ^[1]

Early life

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Thomas originally trained to be a footballer and was signed to Sheffield United until suffering a back injury; he is related to Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. ^[2]

Thomas attended Newfield Secondary School, Sheffield, before pursuing further studies and graduated as MA in MA in professional practice (change management) from Lancaster University in 2007. ^[2]

Career

Thomas started his career in public service at Trafford Council in 1999, before joining Derbyshire County Council (2006–14), becoming Director of Children’s Services from 2011 to 2014: during this time, the number of children in Derbyshire who achieved five or more GCSEs trebled in a single year. Ofsted praised Thomas's leadership for creating "a culture of learning, support and challenge". ^[2]

Rotherham Borough Council

Thomas was initially headhunted on a one-year contract by Malcolm Newsam, the Children's Social Care Commissioner appointed by the UK Government to oversee children's and young people's services in Rotherham in the wake of the Jay Report by Professor Alexis Jay. ^[2]

As Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's Strategic Director for Children and Young People from 2015 until 2018, ^[3] Thomas transformed the council's social services, ^[4] for which he received national recognition.

Lewisham Council and Kingston-upon-Thames Council

Thomas served as chief executive of the London Borough of Lewisham in 2018, before being appointed CEO of the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames (2019–23) where he led a £1.2bn regeneration programme providing an additional 1,338 new homes in Kingston, ^[5] plus investment in schools, leisure and cultural facilities, new jobs and apprenticeships, and inward investment, including Unilever's new global HQ. ^[1]

Corporation of the City of London

Town Clerk and CEO of the City Corporation since February 2023, Thomas also oversees the City of London Police Authority.

As Town Clerk of London, a position dating back to the 13th century, Thomas acts as head of the City of London's paid service, leading over 4,000 City Corporation staff, and is principal advisor to the City's elected Commoners on matters of policy. ^{[1] [6]}

Honours

For his "services to Local Government and Children's Services" in the wake of the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal, ^[1] Thomas was appointed a CBE in the 2019 New Year Honours. ^[7]

Personal life

Thomas married Sadie Elizabeth Clarke in 2009, and lives in London with their two sons and two daughters.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "City Corporation appoints new Town Clerk and Chief Executive". www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.
2. Pidd, Helen (17 December 2014). "Incoming Rotherham children's chief: 'It's the most difficult job in Britain'". The Guardian.
3. "Children's services in Rotherham 'transformed' since CSE scandal". CYP Now.
4. "New Year's Honour for Ian Thomas for leading transformation in wake of Rotherham CSE scandals". Yorkshire Post. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
5. Dalton, Emily (17 November 2022). "Kingston Council Chief Executive leaving for City of London role". Kingston Courier. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
6. "City Officers: the Town Clerk". Livery Committee. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
7. www.thegazette.co.uk

Civic offices
Preceded by John Barradell	Town Clerk of London 2023–present	Succeeded by in office