Merton Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Williams to the role of Director of Community and Housing. He was Head of Community Care with Merton from 2000 to 2004 and has been Director of Policy at Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority since 2004.

Simon took up the new post on 10 July 2006 and will work with Jeff Hobden, Interim Director of Community and Housing, for a short handover period.

He started his career in 1979 as a social worker with Hampshire Social Services and has since held management positions with Berkshire Social Services and Hampshire Social Services. Simon also had another post in the NHS in the 1990s as Director of Primary and Community Care at North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority.

Simon lives in Horsham, West Sussex and spends his spare time with his children and exercising his dog. He is a Trustee for SeeAbility, a national charity for people with low vision.

Simon has a 1st class BA (MA) in Classics at Cambridge University, and an M Lit from Oxford University. He also has an MSc in Applied Social Studies and Diploma in Management Studies.

He also has several published articles (Health Service Journal, Social Work Today, Haemophilia) and has been a reviewer for the Healthcare Commission.

Simon Williams, Merton Council’s new Director of Community and Housing said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Merton’s communities, with staff and with our partners in this new role. From my initial visits and discussions I have already been really impressed with the shared talent and commitment to provide good services.”

Ged Curran, Merton Council’s Chief Executive, said:

‘I am delighted to welcome Simon back to Merton. I know that he will be a real asset for the borough and I am very much looking forward to working with him.’