Council announces new Strategic Director

13 May 2019

Southwark Council is pleased to announce it has appointed Caroline Bruce as its new Strategic Director of Environment and Leisure. Mrs Bruce fought off stiff competition for the role, and was appointed by a member panel. She will join Southwark on 1 July.

Mrs Bruce is currently interim Director of Neighbourhoods at Havering Council, and has had a long and varied career in local government, progressing from payroll clerk to Director of Highways at Kent County Council. Since leaving Kent she has held a number of strategic posts, at Northumberland, Harrow, Rotherham and Redbridge Councils.

The Strategic Director of Environment and Leisure at Southwark is responsible for a range of services used by all residents, including waste and recycling, libraries, leisure, parks, events and highways.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to Southwark, and can’t wait for her to get started in the role. So many of the council’s core services and big ambitions sit with environment and leisure, and whether it’s ensuring the smooth running of our award-winning parks, leisure centres and libraries, or delivering our council plan commitments to offer residents free swimming lessons and improve air quality, Caroline has a very exciting time ahead.”

Caroline Bruce said: “I am really looking forward to joining Southwark, which is such an exciting council in a vibrant and fabulous part of London. It was the council’s values that really drew me to it, and its commitment to working with local people to make the borough an even better place to live. My department plays a key role in doing that, through culture, leisure and excellent universal services, and I can’t wait to meet the team and get started.”

Mrs Bruce replaces Deborah Collins who left Southwark in December to take up the role of Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff University.

Page last updated: 13 May 2019