North Tyneside MBC's chief executive, Andrew Kerr has announced he is to leave the authority to take up a post at the head of the new Wiltshire unitary authority. 

He will leave North Tyneside at the end of the year when he will replace Wiltshire's acting chief Keith Robinson

Since joining the authority the father of three, who has represented Great Britain in athletics at the 400m, has earned wide recognition for his contribution to the authority's improvement.

It has earned it a three-star rating and 'improving well' status from the Audit Commission. This improvement contributed to the borough moving out of the 100 most deprived areas in the country and earned it a place as one of the top ten percent of improving councils in England.

Announcing the move Mr Kerr said: 'North Tyneside Council has so much to be proud of. It is a three-star authority with one of the best adult social care services in the country, it leads the way in children and young people and learning and has an exciting regeneration programme that will help drive the successful economic future of the region.

'I am joining Wiltshire at a key moment in its history - it is a vibrant new council with a determination to succeed and deliver high quality low-cost services for local people. I am delighted to be joining them on that journey.'

Prior to taking up his appointment with North Tyneside Council, Andrew worked for Birmingham City Council as both director of performance improvement and director of leisure and culture.

His varied career has also included appointments as a lead inspector for the Audit Commission, head of lifelong learning and leisure for Caerphilly County Borough Council and head of local government services for the Sports Council in Wales.