Ian Thomas, Town Clerk

Ian Cornelius Thomas (born 15 September 1969), is a British local government official. Having served in local government for over 20 years, in 2023 Thomas was appointed as the 51st Town Clerk of London and Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation.

Early life Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Thomas originally trained to be a footballer and was signed to Sheffield United until suffering a back injury; he is related to Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Thomas attended Newfield Secondary School, Sheffield, before studying Professional Practice (Change Management) at Lancaster University, graduating MA in 2007. Thomas transformed the council's social services, for which he received national recognition.

Lewisham Council and Kingston-upon-Thames Council Thomas served as chief executive of the London Borough of Lewisham in 2018, before being appointed CEO of the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames (2019–23) where he led a £1.2bn regeneration programme providing an additional 1,338 new homes in Kingston, plus investment in schools, leisure and cultural facilities, new jobs and apprenticeships, and inward investment, including Unilever's new global HQ.

Corporation of the City of London Town Clerk and CEO of the City Corporation since February 2023, Thomas also oversees the City of London Police Authority.

As Town Clerk of London, a position dating back to the 13th century, Thomas acts as head of the City of London's paid service, leading over 4,000 City Corporation staff, and is principal advisor to the City's elected Commoners on matters of policy.

In 2025, Thomas was named as one of Britain’s most influential black figures in the 2026 Powerlist.

Honours For "services to Local Government and Children's Services" in the wake of the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal,

Personal life Thomas married Sadie Elizabeth Clarke in 2009, and lives in London with their two sons and two daughters.