Hackney Council’s chief executive given extended leave to deal with ‘family matters’

Hackney Council’s chief executive Mark Carroll. Photograph: Hackney Council

Hackney’s chief executive is taking extended leave “to attend to family matters”, it has been announced.

Mark Carroll joined the council in October 2021 when the local authority was still reeling after a criminal cyber attack the year before.

He took over from Tim Shields, who left the council after 16 years in the role.

Carroll revealed the news in an email sent to all council staff yesterday.

He has overseen the ongoing response to the cyber attack, the Town Hall’s recovery from the pandemic, and support for residents affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

He has also been involved in the response to the Child Q scandal, when it emerged that police had strip-searched a teenage girl at school while she was on her period.

Carroll was the returning officer for last May’s full council elections and a by-election in De Beauvoir in July.

His previous experience includes leading Essex County Council’s response to Covid, along with stints at the Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

A Hackney Council spokesman said: “The chief executive is currently on extended annual leave to attend to family matters.”

He added that “council business continues as usual”.

While Carroll is away, chief financial officer Ian Williams will serve as acting chief executive.

Williams fulfilled the role temporarily in 2021 after the previous boss left.