“Loyal public servant” Ian Davis had led the council’s staff team since 2017 but is now leaving to take on the same role at Lambeth

The chief executive of Enfield Council has announced his resignation after seven years in the top job and 17 years at the civic centre in total.

Ian Davis is leaving Enfield after being announced at the new chief executive of Lambeth Council in South London.

The outgoing boss said he was “incredibly proud” of “everything we have delivered in Enfield” and that he was sure the council would “continue to go from strength to strength”.

Davis joined the council as assistant director of environmental protection and regulation and moved up the ranks to become chief executive in April 2017.

A new top boss has not yet been named.

Commenting on Davis’s departure, council leader Ergin Erbil said: “I would like to thank Ian for being such a loyal public servant for Enfield’s residents. It has been a pleasure to work with him for the last six-and-a-half-years.

“His ability to deliver transformational projects for the improvement of the borough and the council, as well as his insights into local government and some of the key issues impacting local residents and the public sector as a whole have been invaluable.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the way he has managed the organisation during challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic and through periods of external and financial pressures which have impacted councils across the board.”

As well as leading the civic centre through the pandemic, much of Davis’s tenure coincided with a turbulent time politically in Enfield, particularly between 2018 and 2022, during which time there were claims from one former senior manager of a “toxic culture” at the local authority – although this was strenuously denied by the council at the time.

Last year, Davis found himself coming under direct criticism from opposition councillors and another ex-staffer for what they described as a “vanity project” after the council spent £632,000 on a refurbishment of the chief executive’s office.

Financial pressures at the civic centre have become more and more acute in recent years, with the council recently consulting on a plan to close eight libraries, which would save up to £630,000 per year if it goes ahead.

More happily, the council picked up some big awards during Davis’s tenure, including for its work on the creation of a new woodland at Enfield Chase in 2022 and for the flagship Meridian Water housing project in 2023.

Reflecting on his years in Enfield, Davis said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work for this council and the people of Enfield over the last 17 years. I am incredibly proud of everything that we have delivered in Enfield.

“I will be leaving Enfield with a strong and energetic executive management team in place, and I am sure the council can continue to go from strength to strength.

“I would also like to thank all the councillors past and present, partners and residents I have worked with over the years to help deliver better outcomes for Enfield.

“Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my colleagues at Enfield. I have worked alongside some incredibly committed and talented officers who always strive for the best for our residents, communities and businesses.”

Cllr Erbil, commenting on the next steps, said: “In the coming weeks, I will work closely with the executive management team to ensure there is a smooth transition as new arrangements are put in place.

“Councillors and council officers share the same commitment to providing quality services and we will continue to develop the many ambitious projects that make Enfield an exciting place to live, work and study in. I wish Ian the best of luck in his new role.”

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