Rutland County Council has announced a new chief executive.

Mark Andrews has been confirmed to the role of Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Services) following his appointment as Interim Chief Executive last June.

Following a 12-month interim period, the Council's Chief Officer Appointment Committee was convened on 30 April 2021 and recommended that he be appointed permanently to the role of Chief Executive.

This appointment was officially confirmed by unanimous vote at a Special Full Council meeting on Monday 7 June.

As Nub News revealed last month, council leader Oliver Hemsley was to recommend the appointment at the meeting this week.

Speaking after it, Coun Hemsley said: "As a council, we continue to work hard for residents while responding to the coronavirus pandemic and adjusting to further cuts in our Government funding.

"Mark has led the Council's services extremely well during this turbulent period. Add to this his passion for Rutland and extensive experience at the highest level of local government and his permanent appointment as Chief Executive Officer is fully warranted."

Mark Andrews has been part of the Council's Strategic Management Team since 2015 and was appointed as the Council's Strategic Director for People Services in January 2019, until becoming Interim Chief Executive from August 1 2020.

Mr Andrews said: "I'm hugely proud of the work that our Officers have done over the past 12 months, not least in response to the pandemic. There is still lots to do to support Rutland's recovery from COVID and make sure services can keep meeting the needs of local people at what is still a very challenging time.

"I am grateful for the support of our Elected Members and look forward to working with residents to secure a bright future for our county."

He replaced former chief executive Helen Briggs, who had been the council's chief executive for more than 13 years until her retirement.