Thurrock Council has appointed a second interim chief executive while its search for a permanent head goes on. Bob Coomber is to take over the reins as the new interim on the recommendation of the council. Mr Coomber was formerly chief executive at Southwark LBC. The decision follows the departure of interim chief executive, Mike Rowan, who has quit the authority. Mr Rowan revealed family commitments had drawn him back to his Gloucestershire home. He was the council's head of legal services and monitoring officer, and took over after former chief executive Angie Ridgwell's departure in November. He said: ‘I am sorry to be leaving Thurrock Council at such an exciting time in its development, but family must come first. I had excellent colleagues and I am sure they will take Thurrock forward in the best way possible.' Deputy leader of the council, Garry Hague, said: ‘Mr Rowan has only been with us a short time, but I respect his decision to leave his monitoring officer post. ‘I wish him every success in his future career.'
