Sheffield City Council's interim chief executive John Mothersole has been appointed full time to the role. Mr Mothersole has been interim chief executive since March and takes over from Sir Bob Kerslake, who left to head up the Homes and Community Agency. The new chief executive first joined the council in 1998 as executive director – development, environment and leisure and held the position until he was appointed as interim top officer earlier this year. Mr Mothersole takes up the new position with immediate effect. ‘I'm really looking forward to working with John,' said council leader Paul Scriven. ‘I think he will be an exceptional chief executive, and will take the step up from his role as executive director in his stride,' said Cllr Scriven. ‘We have searched far and wide to find the best candidate, and put all the candidates through a testing selection process.' As part of the selection process, four Sheffield residents were given the chance to quiz all the candidates in person and then give their views on the answers they received.