Another high-level departure from Croydon Council announced at lunchtime today, with Damian Roberts, who for the past year has run the council’s Step Change programme – its scheme for cutting staff numbers by one-third.

In a statement issued by Croydon’s £248,000 per year chief executive Jon Rouse, it was revealed that Roberts would leave by the end of the year (that is, in less than three months, the usual notice period for senior positions in the council) “to pursue other career options” (meaning he may not already have another job lined up).

The statement read: “As part of the transition arrangements, Damian will be stepping down from the corporate management team (CMT) this month, with programme management responsibility for Croydon’s Step Change Programme transferring to Nathan Elvery, deputy chief executive and executive director corporate resources and customer services, and his responsibilities for the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) transferring to Pam Parkes, director of workforce and community relations.”

Roberts lives in central Croydon, and started working at the council as a graduate management trainee. After spells at Islington and Tower Hamlets, he has worked at Taberner House since 2006.

Roberts “was instrumental in the development of Croydon’s long-term vision following one of the biggest community engagement exercises in Croydon’s history, as well as innovative work through Croydon’s local strategic partnership which helped Croydon achieve national recognition”, the statement said.

The statement issued by the council was notable for its absence of any plaudits or comments from the political leaders of the council.

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