Oflog’s permanent chief executive announced as Josh Goodman
Josh Goodman, who has been the interim chief executive of Oflog since its launch, has been appointed permanently.
The permanent Chief Executive of the Office for Local Government (Oflog) has been confirmed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Josh Goodman, who has been the interim Chief Executive of Oflog since its launch on 4 July, has been appointed for the permanent position.
This will see him continue to work alongside Oflog’s interim chair, Lord Morse, to provide authoritative, accessible data and analysis about the performance of the local government sector and support its improvement.
The appointment is the result of a rigorous external recruitment campaign, led by a panel including the then Chief Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Josh Goodman is an experienced civil servant who has worked with local government in HM Treasury, the Department for Education and No 10 Downing Street, and most recently as Director for Social Housing in DLUHC. He set up the successful Covid Shielding programme, delivered with local authorities, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee Rowley, Minister for Local Government, said:
I welcome this appointment and I am confident that Josh will drive local government to work as effectively as it possibly can.
With a permanent chief executive now in place, Oflog will continue to foster accountability and transparency in the sector, so that residents can feel confident in their local leaders.
Josh Goodman, Chief Executive of Oflog, said:
Local government is brimming with hugely talented and experienced people. Oflog is here to work with them, to help every local authority be the best it can.
I am indebted to the many colleagues in the sector who have advised me on how to get the organisation off the ground. I’m delighted to have been appointed to lead the next phase.
The first set of metrics on the Local Authority Data Explorer have now been published and will continue to be developed. One of Oflog’s key priorities is to develop the Data Explorer, which will provide citizens and local government with an easy way to compare data about one local authority with similar authorities. This will help citizens to hold their local authority to account, and will help local leaders to improve and innovate.
Oflog is also seeking to develop new ways to spot and address early warning signs of potential failure in local authorities. It also intends, over time, to support councils to share good practice and to make the best use of data in running their organisations.
Further information
See more information about Oflog
The external recruitment process was competitive, with the panel including an independent civil service commissioner and the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).