Two local authorities in Worcestershire have agreed to share a chief executive.

Jack Hegarty, managing director at Wychavon District Council, will jointly run Malvern Hills District Council from December.

He said one of his priorities would be ‘maintaining the individuality of both councils’ while making the most of opportunities to share services.

‘There will also be opportunities for improved resilience and cost savings to be enjoyed by both councils,’ he said.

Cllr David Hughes, leader at Malvern Hills, said ‘I am delighted to welcome our newly appointed shared CEO to Malvern and look forward to Jack taking up his post and delivering on the efficiencies and cost savings for our residents.’

Wychavon’s leader, Cllr Paul Middlebrough, said: ‘Both councils work very closely together already and we look forward to continuing this whilst ensuring both maintain their uniqueness and own identities.’