Diarmaid Ward

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ISLINGTON’s finance chief has announced he will step down after nine years on the executive team, saying it is the “right time to hand over to someone new”.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward plans to officially leave his post in May, and says he will not be running in the 2026 council elections.

He told the Tribune: “I have been so lucky to be able to do the housing & planning and finance briefs. Both are incredible rewarding, interesting and challenging in equal measure. The highlights are just too many to mention.

“But delivering new-build council and social rent homes was very special to me, particularly ensuring that we managed to get 100 per cent council housing on eight of our projects”.

Cllr Ward, who acted as deputy to former council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz, threw his name in the ring during the contest to replace her in November but failed to get the votes necessary.

At the time, a Labour source said that his loss was due to his close association with Ms Comer-Schwartz which meant he was viewed as too aligned with “what the group didn’t like”.

Cllr Ward said he wanted to thank new leader Una O’Halloran for her “support and understanding while I have been coming to this decision”.

He added that he was considering his options for when he leaves the council. “It’s exciting and scary in equal measure”, he said.

Cllr O’Halloran said: “I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Diarmaid for his nine years of outstanding service as a councillor and executive member.

His dedication to improving housing, tackling homelessness, and championing financial support for our residents has made a real difference in Islington.”