The two final new unitary authorities have started searches for people to lead their top teams. Central Bedfordshire Council and Shropshire Council have both confirmed they are looking for a new chief executive. It came as two of Britain's largest councils are undergoing changes at the top. Most of the other unitaries have already hired their chief executives (see box). In Wales, Denbighshire CC has appointed Dr Mohammed Mehmet as its new chief executive. A former director of children's services at Peterborough City Council and a former director of education and regeneration at Islington LBC, Dr Mehmet joined Denbighshire as interim corporate director for life-long learning in November 2007. Dr Mehmet said: ‘I'm looking forward to working with my former colleagues to continue to work towards our aim of bringing Denbighshire closer to the community, and providing quality, value for money services for all.' Dr Mehmet is married with two children. He has a first class degree in mathematics and computing, and a PhD in mathematics. Elsewhere, at Telford & Wrekin Council, Steve Wellings, the council's chief executive, is leaving at the end of July after almost eight years, to pursue other interests. Mr Wellings joined the local authority in 2001, as its director of resources, and became chief executive in 2006. The council has started arrangements for an interim replacement, and will begin the process of recruiting a new chief executive. Mr Wellings said: ‘I have especially enjoyed the challenge of making a positive difference to the lives of local people. I'm looking forward to new challenges, including making the most of my time as a president of the CIPFA in the Midlands for the next couple of years.'
