Darren has been Leader of Barking and Dagenham since 2014. He is currently the Deputy Chair of London Councils, having served first as the Executive Member for City Development and now as the Executive Member for Housing and Planning. In his current role he has prioritised the delivery of affordable housing in the capital, fire safety, tackling homelessness and reducing the use of temporary accommodation.

Darren is also a member of the Homes for Londoners Board, Arts Council England, the Arts Council for London and the Create London Board and, since September 2019, Vice Chair on the LGA Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board. He was awarded LGIU Leader of the Year Award in 2019 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by Coventry University in November 2021 in recognition of his efforts to expand educational opportunities in Barking and Dagenham.