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Former civil servant Zulfiqar Darr has been appointed as Broxtowe BC's chief executive.Writing on social media, Darr said he was ‘very pleased' after acting as interim chief since September.Darr was previously deputy chief executive and section 151 officer at Broxtowe for more than eight years.Prior to joining Broxtowe, he served in interim head of finance roles at Croydon LBC and Lancashire CC and has also worked at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, South Gloucestershire Council and Derby, Coventry and Bradford city councils.He has a masters in business administration from the University of Bradford and a BSc in chemical engineering from the University of Manchester.Darr takes over the role from Ruth Hyde, who was appointed last week to the board of Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries, which was created by Nottinghamshire CC in 2016. Croydon LBC has appointed Conrad Hall as permanent corporate director of resources and section 151 officer after four months working at the council on secondment from Newham LBC.Hall has 23 years of experience in local government, most recently as corporate director of resources and s151 officer at Newham for seven years.He said: ‘The four months I've spent here so far have been immensely rewarding, and I have met so many positive and constructive colleagues who I'm looking forward to getting to know even better.'Executive mayor of Croydon Jason Perry added: ‘Croydon is undergoing an enormous programme of improvement to become more efficient and provide value for money. The s151 officer is an important part of the delivery of this and I am delighted that Conrad is bringing his experience and expertise to Croydon to help the borough get back on track.'The s151 appointment is expected to be formally ratified at the full council meeting next week.Cabinet lead for finance and resources at Newham during the last four years, Zulfiqar Ali, said Hall had made a ‘tangible difference' and it had been a ‘privilege' to work with him. Siân Gwenllian has been named Welsh Cabinet minister for local government, housing and planning.Gwenllian previously worked as a journalist and in public relations, including as a press officer for Gwynedd Council.London's Capital City College (CCC) has appointed former senior vice chair of the Local Government Association Lord Nick Forbes of Newcastle as its honorary president.Former chair of Core Cities UK Lord Forbes will act as an ambassador for the college, supporting its strategic priorities, and helping build partnerships with employers, communities and stakeholders.Lord Forbes, who is a non-executive director at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: ‘Capital City College has a hugely impressive track record of giving people the best start to their career, as well as helping people throughout their working lives. I'm looking forward to helping grow apprenticeships, working with employers to meet new challenges and celebrating the successes of students.'Chief executive officer of Capital City College Angela Joyce added: ‘Nick brings a wealth of knowledge and insight, as well as a desire to champion CCC and the college sector as a working peer.' A former president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services will ‘help drive pace, challenge and meaningful improvement' at Cheshire East Council.John Pearce, who has more than 30 years' experience in children's services, will be independent chair of the council's special educational needs and disabilities strategic improvement and assurance board.The council said Pearce brought a ‘wealth of expertise and a fresh, independent perspective'.

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PEOPLE

Borough's chief executive announced

By Martin Ford | 14 May 2026

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