Jenny Rowlands

Jenny Rowlands is a lifelong public servant who has consistently championed the role of high-quality local services in enabling people and communities to flourish. As Chief Executive of Camden Council from 2019 to 2025, she led the organisation through a transformative period—navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, enabling the welcome and settlement of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, leading a high-performing leadership team that has achieved “Outstanding” Ofsted ratings in Children’s Services and Youth Justice, and achieving the first “Outstanding” rating from the Care Quality Commission in Adult Social Care. Jenny worked with partners to build a mission based approach to tackling complex challenges faced by communities, embedding participatory practices that shift power and match residents’ expectations.

Jenny has built and nurtured leadership across organisations, growing and attracting talent  and fostering a culture of psychological safety, continuous learning, and public service motivation. Her leadership style centres on creating the conditions for honest reflection and improvement—key drivers in a shift from a process-heavy bureaucracy to a citizen-focused, impact-driven organisation. 

Jenny has worked in pan London advisory roles, as a mentor and a coach, particularly championing equality and diversity. She is currently appointed as an independent advisor to Tower Hamlets on culture and partnerships, as part of the Government’s new intervention model.