The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, has announced further changes to her Cabinet team.
The new-look Cabinet sees experienced lead member Sarah Ruiz add the education portfolio to her existing role as Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, while Carleene Lee-Phakoe joins the top team for the first time as Cabinet Member for Brighter Futures.
Together, the two Cabinet members will be responsible for ensuring children and young people in Newham get the very best – from outstanding education and children’s social services, to excellent opportunities to develop, thrive and fulfil their potential.
Sarah Ruiz said; “It is a great honour and responsibility to take on the Education portfolio at this time of unprecedented challenge. I look forward to working with our wonderful family of schools and colleges, our pupils, our parents and our brilliant teaching staff to deliver the best possible opportunities for all our young people.”
Lee-Phakoe said: “It is with great pleasure that I accept the role of cabinet lead for Brighter Futures. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this very important portfolio which puts creating opportunities for our young people to thrive, achieve and reach their full potential, at its heart.”
Mayor Fiaz added: “I am proud to have these stellar councillors in my Cabinet, and to have had the opportunity to promote emerging talent as I build what I believe is a real dream team.
And Fiaz added: “I am confident that at Newham we have a Cabinet team, deputies and commissioners with the talent, commitment and determination to deliver the ambitions outlined in our Towards a Better Newham action plan – which shows how we will help the borough to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensure Newham’s communities have the best opportunities in life.”