AN expert in helping authorities through changes, has today been announced as the temporary chief executive of a Suffolk council.James Gravenor, 53, will take charge of Suffolk Coastal while the council seeks a permanent new man at the helm.

By Richard Cornwell

AN expert in helping authorities through changes, has today been announced as the temporary chief executive of a Suffolk council.

James Gravenor, 53, will take charge of Suffolk Coastal while the council seeks a permanent new man at the helm.

In the last three years Mr Gravenor has used his years of experience to help local authorities through change, most recently as interim chief executive at Rossendale Borough Council.

"James has a track record in the management of change with a wide experience across the range of local government management and partnership working," said council leader Ray Herring.

"He has also been an associate consultant with the Improvement and Development Agency that has been at the forefront of encouraging improvements in Councils across the country."

Mr Gravenor will start as interim chief executive on November 3 heading a new-look management team.

Jeremy Schofield will be director of community and development services, Dennis Ball chief operations officer, Martin Blake acting director of change and performance management, Peter Collicott director of finance, and Bruce Laws assistant chief executive.

Mr Gravenor said: "It is a privilege to be asked to work for an authority which is not complacent but wants to provide excellent services. The key tasks facing me will be to help the council to continue to improve while implementing changes to the way services are organised and making sure we get the best value from limited finance," he said.