Familiar face returns to London city hall as newly hired top manager

Sandra Datars Bere, the top bureaucrat at St. Thomas city hall, is leaving the job to take the helm with the City of London, where she formerly worked as the head of housing and social services.

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The hiring was announced by Mayor Josh Morgan Tuesday afternoon during a political debate at city hall.

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“Sandra has a proven track record of effective leadership and strategic management. She has a passion for implementing innovative solutions to address the needs of the community,” Morgan said at the meeting. “We know we have many challenges ahead but this is an exciting time.”

Datars Bere served in the housing and social services role in London from 2013 to 2020, leaving to become the top bureaucrat of Bruce County and currently the top manager for St. Thomas.

Morgan said her selection by city politicians was unanimous, the product of a national search following the announcement of current city manager Lynne Livingstone’s looming retirement.

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“I’m happy to be back and can’t be more excited than to have the opportunity to come back to the City of London, to my home community,” Datars Bere told politicians. “My good colleague and longtime friend Lynne (Livingstone) has done the great work of leading you over the last number of years, and I’m looking forward to continuing that work with my colleagues here as well.”

Datars Bere will begin the job on May 6. Livingstone will officially retire from her position on March 15.

“I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Lynne Livingstone for her exceptional leadership and profound caring over her time” in the top job, Morgan said in a statement. “The legacy she leaves behind is truly unmatched, and her example is one that will continue to guide many, including myself, going forward.”

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