This is our brand new and exciting section to the WERA Website.
Every Two weeks we will publish an EXCLUSIVE Interview with those who work with WERA and manage services to the estate and Lambeth. We will ask the questions that you may well of always wanted to ask whether they be at the Housing, in politics or the police as well as many more...
If you would like to make a suggestion for a Question or suggest a person for an
interview then Contact us.
1. Can you please tell us who you are and what your position is?
Dr Derrick Anderson CBE, Chief Executive, London Borough of Lambeth.
2. How long have you been doing this job, and have you always worked for Lambeth Council?
I have been doing the Chief Executive’s job for 14 years, the last 3½ with Lambeth.
3. Please describe your role in a sentence?
I am the person who oversees the running of all the Council services -
4. What role do you think residents have in shaping Lambeth?
At the end of the day the services we provide need to be relevant to our residents and citizens. We go to some considerable lengths to ensure that what we do is informed by the opinions and priorities of local people. The issues impacting on local people drive our annual priorities. At the moment these are tackling crime and improving community safety, improving opportunities for children and young people, flourishing economies and better housing, respecting the environment, better personal social care services and improving efficiency and value for money for the council.
5. What aspect of your role do you most enjoy?
Working with groups in the community, who are making a real difference in their neighbourhoods.
6. If you could change one thing about this country what would it be?
I’d eradicate racism.
7. What one thing do you think is the most important about working with residents?
Listening.
8. Can you make a suggestion for the one best thing to do in Lambeth?
Visit our parks.
9. How do you most like to relax after a hard day at the office?
Pounding the cross-
10. What motivates you day to day to do your job?
Making things happen in the real world.
11. What is your biggest professional ambition?
I’ve never been ambitious for myself, but have always concerned myself with being ambitious for the communities I work for.
12. Which item could you not leave home without?
My wallet.
13. How would you describe Lambeth to the rest of the world?
One of the most vibrant, energetic and interesting places in Europe if not the World.
14. What areas of today's society in Lambeth would you most like to see improved?
I’d like to see more opportunities for work and play, especially amongst our young people.
15. Who is the most influential person you have ever met and why?
Nelson Mandela. He’s the most authentic and sincere leader I’ve known and emanates a calmness I would love to be able to mirror.
16. Do you think Britain is getting better or worse and why?
Having been born in the 50’s and schooled in the 60’s where racism was openly directed without confrontation, I certainly think it has got better. It is testimony that 25/30 years ago it would have been unimaginable for somebody with my background to be Chief Executive of a Local Authority.
17. Do you speak any foreign languages, if so which languages do you speak?
I speak a bit of Portuguese, which I picked up on my travels in Southern Africa.
18. Can you tell us what Lambeth Council is doing to engage the varied society we have in the borough?
Lambeth is an incredibly diverse borough with more than 150 languages spoken, each of whom have substantial communities for which we must cater. In recent years we have developed an elaborate web of consultation techniques, which include things like public meetings, Expos in Town Centres, citizens survey, Area Forums and partnership activities in neighbourhoods. All of these things feed into annual service and financial planning and determine our priorities.
19. What is your biggest achievement in your current role?
Starting the turnaround and reputation of the council in the eyes of key funders and policy makers, all of which will bring new resources and money to the borough for the future.
20. Do you have a famous quote that best sums up your take on your life?
‘What goes around comes around’.
Other Interviews:
Sabina Joseph... Click here to view
Steve Reed... Click here to view
Nick Ephgrave... Click here to view
Val Shawcross... Click here to view
Patrick Horgan... Click here to view
Lib Peck... Click here to view
Derrick Anderson... Click here to view
Cathy Deplessis... Click here to view
Chris Adamson... Click here to view
