IAN CLARKE An officer with 28 years' experience in senior local government management was yesterday appointed chief executive at Breckland Council until a permanent successor is found for Becky Hellard.

IAN CLARKE

An officer with 28 years' experience in senior local government management was yesterday appointed chief executive at Breckland Council until a permanent successor is found for Becky Hellard.

Keith Davis has been deputy chief executive at the authority since April 2005 and first took the helm while an investigation was carried out into "issues surrounding" Ms Hellard.

She resigned last week and yesterday it was announced Mr Davis had got the top job until May.

Mark Stokes - who has worked his way up through the ranks at Breckland as admin assistant - has been appointed deputy chief executive, also until May.

Mr Davis has had a series of senior local government roles as deputy and assistant chief executive in councils in the North East and London.

During his time at Breckland he has introduced major initiatives including a management and personal development programme, Investors in Excellence.