Reading Council's chief executive, Trish Haines, has been named as the new top officer at Worcestershire CC. Mrs Haines' appointment will be confirmed by full council today (Thursday 28 November), and she takes up the reins in March 2008. She will succeed Rob Sykes, who is stepping down as chief executive next month. The council meeting will also be asked to approve the appointment of ex-Cambridgeshire chief executive Ian Stewart as interim chief until Mrs Haines joins the authority in the new year. She was also on the shortlist for the Cambridgeshire CC chief executive job. The list was leaked to the local media in a row over the appointments process which led to the leader resigning. Mrs Haines has been chief executive at Reading since 2002, and has also held senior management posts at Warwickshire CC, Berkshire CC and Suffolk CC. ‘I am particularly proud to be selected as Worcestershire CC's first female chief executive and I hope to use my experience from previous roles to work closely with the elected members and the staff at the county council to really make a positive difference to residents,' said Mrs Haines. Council leader, George Lord, said: ‘We had applications from some very high-calibre candidates, but I am confident that Mrs Haines' extensive experience and her skills and commitment will provide us with the leadership and direction we require.' PLUS: Salisbury DC, one of the Wiltshire boroughs facing abolition under reorganisation, has appointed Manjeet Gill as interim chief executive. The appointment is subject to approval at a full council meeting on 10 December. Ms Gill is currently working as a management consultant with Rushmoor BC. Prior to this, she was corporate director, neighbourhood services, at Nottingham City Council.
