Tower Hamlets CEO Kevan Collins has only just got into his role – four months in the job – but he’s already being sent out to see what people on the ‘council floor’ are doing and how the upcoming cuts are going to impact on front line services.
He knows there are problems in the borough, explaining that although some of the most successful business are contained within the district, when you go to the heart of the community there’s a lot of poverty. Kevan explains there is a need to make sure the wealth that is created is shared. Kevan started his career as a teacher and has worked in public service all his life.
The cuts, says Kevan, may be £50 million over three years. He knows it will be painful but they have to try to prioritise services so the most vulnerable are least affected.
This wasn’t, admittedly, the most enlightening Undercover Boss I’ve ever seen. I’m beginning to side with the Mirror slightly – it was, indeed, overwhemlingly positive. However, there was one thing to be taken from this week’s experience: appreciation.
Up in the boardroom it is easy to forget what work those people who work for you actually do, and it seemed that meeting some of the amazing people who provide the council services made Kevan more appreciative and aware of the situation in the lower ranks.
Day 1 – Kevan picks up a box of meals while delivering hot lunches to locals. It’s heavy, he exclaims. The 62 year-old grandmother Chris, who he is shadowing, agrees – but she does this every day.
Seeing the older people of the community treating Chris like an old friend moves Kevan who see the human side of cuts – Chris used to have half the deliveries she makes now each day and even had time to take a quick cup of tea with one – no longer.
Day 2 – Kevan joins 25 year old Mallachi on the reception of the homeless department. People who arrive at his desk are tired, frustrated and vulnerable. Mallachi deals with them and calms them with deference and respect. Kevan is impressed. Mallachi reminds him that anyone can become homeless. "You could be in that position yourself," he says.
Day 3 – The community enforcement officers Kevan shadows cover all sorts of misdeeds from loitering yoof to, err, littering yoof.
One young man who throws a cigarette butt down a drain is given a fixed penalty notice, but one woman trying to sell balloons without a licence is let off. Kevan criticises the inconsistency.
Day 4 – Kevan joins pest control officer Tim. He takes amazing pride in his work and it’s fascinating how much he clearly knows and delivers about pest control. He’s sympathetic to the woman who is terified of rats and possibly a little graphic when describing his job to Kevan, but still. Tim says his job is "Bit like a detective really. At the scene of a crime…"
Day 5 – Shazz is inspecting the markets. Kevan joins in and Shazz says he’s taken to it naturally. He shows Kevan some plans he has drawn up which would make the markets world-class.
Kevan develops huge respect for all the people he works with, which is incredibly valuable in itself, and he vows to take the inconsistency out of community enforcement. The levels of engagement and the commitment to the organisation by some workers are incredible, and there’s clearly a lot other CEOs could learn from visiting their own ‘shop floors’.
What did you get out of the programme? Did it inspire any tips or thoughts? If you have any, please let us know!