Former Director of Legal appointed permanent chief executive at London borough

Dawn Carter-McDonald is set to be confirmed as the chief executive of the London Borough of Hackney on a permanent basis, following a competitive recruitment process.

Dawn Carter-McDonald has been acting in the interim role for the past 10 months. Her appointment on a permanent basis will be considered at a meeting of councillors later this month (21 May 2024).

Prior to taking on the role of interim Chief Executive, she was Hackney's Director of Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services and Monitoring Officer from 2019 and a member of the corporate leadership team at the local authority from 2020.

Carter-McDonald was born in Hackney, before moving to Tottenham at primary age. She began her career at Hackney Council in 2002 as a solicitor in the council’s Children’s, Education and Community Services legal team.

Later she served as the council’s Interim Deputy Head of Service for Litigation and Commercial and then Interim Head of Service for Litigation and Commercial and Deputy Monitoring Officer before being promoted to the post of Head of Legal and Governance and Deputy Monitoring Officer in 2018. 

Hackney said that Carter-McDonald had always maintained a keen interest in children’s and education safeguarding given the time she spent working in this field during her early career.

“Dawn wants to ensure the council continues to work hard to ensure everyone can take pride in the borough and their community,” it added.

Dawn Carter-McDonald said: “I was born in Hackney, so this appointment means a great deal to me on a very personal level. Hackney is where I'm very proud to say I've spent the majority of my career.

“While the opportunity within the borough is evident, so too I believe, are the challenges. The council under the leadership of Mayor Woodley has a clear plan to help address these, and I want to make sure every council officer, and partner, do all we can to improve the quality of life and sense of belonging for all in the borough.”

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm Dawn’s appointment following a competitive recruitment process involving staff, Hackney community organisations and local residents.

“Dawn has a strong track record in local government and she has provided stable leadership and demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Hackney and its values during that time.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work side-by-side with Dawn to make Hackney a greener, healthier, fairer and safer place for all of our residents.”