New assistant chief executive at Rotherham Council

Shokat Lal, who is currently working as assistant director of human resources and workforce services at Coventry City Council, will take up the role in March, subject to contract.

Mr Lal has previously worked at Nottingham and Derby city councils and is currently a member of the board of Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

He will work alongside the council's newly-appointed chief executive Sharon Kemp, who is due to join the authority in January.

Mr Lal said: "This is a great opportunity to join Rotherham, working alongside officers and members to be part of the big change and improvement which is happening at the council. 

"I have spent 13 years as a senior manager at Coventry, and was part of the leadership team when the authority became one of the fastest improving councils nationally, under the former local government inspection system.

"I look forward to drawing on this experience to make a positive contribution to helping Rotherham continue to move forward."