Waltham Forest Council in London is losing its head of PR, Jide
Odusina, to the London borough of Ealing, where he will take up the post
of communications head in January.
Odusina has held the post at Waltham Forest for four years, reporting
directly to the council’s chief executive, Alan Tobias, and overseeing
an eight-strong team. His responsibilities there include graphic design,
internal communications and press relations.
In his new post Odusina will head a larger team employing 11 people and
covering all aspects of internal and external communications. He will
report to Ealing Council chief executive, Gillian Guy.
The position at Ealing has been vacant for almost a year, since the
departure of chief press and publicity officer, Lesley Cramp, who now
heads communications at Newham Council in east London.
During this period, the post has been revamped to include reponsibility
for the web site and staff communications and the PR department has been
managed by head of strategy and review, Shane Beadle.
Issues facing Ealing Council include the regeneration of Acton, Park
Royal and Southall and improving public perceptions of Ealing’s
childcare facilities, which were criticised in a report by the Social
Services Inspectorate earlier this year.
Before joining Waltham Forest, Odusina worked at the local government
policy and research body the London Housing Unit. Waltham Forest Council
is actively seeking a new head of communications.
