Joe Montgomery, director general of Regions and Communities, is to take over as chief executive of the Thames Gateway following Judith Armitt’s resignation.
Armitt stepped down after just a year as chief executive.
In a letter to stakeholders Peter Houlsden, permanent secretary of the DCLG, said they would be discussing what new role Armitt can now play.
‘Joe Montgomery will, as director general, for Regions and Communities, take direct responsibility for the Thames Gateway Executive and coordinate the work of government departments and agencies in the Gateway’
‘Following the successful launch of the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan a fortnight ago, we are now discussing Judith's Armitt’s next move. Judith has made a tremendous contribution to the progress we have seen in the Gateway.’
The letter said Montgomery, who was an executive director for regeneration at Lewisham council before joining the government, will keep his seat in the Communities and Local government board while he takes up this role.
Armitt stepped down two weeks after receiving criticism at the Thames Gateway Forum from the likes of Chelsfield Partners co-founder Sir Stuart Lipton, Lend Lease Europe chief executive Nigel Hugill and Jones Lang LaSalle’s head of professional services Andrew Gould.
The property experts attacked the government for producing plans instead of acting on the Thames Gateway.
