As Director of Transformation at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Meena was responsible for one of the largest and most ambitious local authority transformation programmes within London. In 2015, presented with a large budget gap and a whole host of aspirations for local residents and businesses, Meena took on her new role – supporting the new Administration and Chief Executive to develop a new organisational wide transformation strategy and associated programme of exploration, design and implementation.
Previously Deputy Director for Children’s Services, and various other senior leadership in local government before that, Meena was able to bring her experience, skills and relationships to drive an unprecedented programme of change. Affecting over 3,500 staff, Meena led a multi-faceted programme of activity to deliver a new kind of council, one that would not just weather the storm of austerity but continue to be sustainable in the long term.
Meena has a 35-year career in local government and in May 2021, began a new chapter of her career as a Management Consultant. Her first assignment has been with Birmingham City Council, the largest single local authority in the country, working alongside the newly appointed CE Deborah Cadman to drive forward an ambitious programme of transformation and change.
A great supporter of New Local, Meena has worked closely with the organisation for many years. She is honoured and very excited to now be part of the Board and to offer her expertise, skills and experience to further develop the organisation and to actively promote the work it does with empowering communities.