NORTH Lanarkshire Council has appointed its executive director of regeneration and environmental services to the post of chief executive.

Paul Jukes will succeed current chief executive Gavin Whitefield, who retires in October.

North Lanarkshire is the fourth largest local authority in Scotland with an annual budget of nearly £1billion and 15,500 employees.

Council Leader Jim McCabe said: “The selection panel had an extremely difficult task, given the high calibre of interviewees.

“However, it became clear Paul was the outstanding candidate with a firm grasp of the challenges facing local government in general and this council in particular.

“He has shown great leadership within regeneration and environmental services and I am certain he will deliver those same qualities as chief policy officer of the council.”

Mr Jukes paid tribute to Mr Whitefield saying he would be a hard act to follow.

He added: "He is of the longest serving council chief executives in Scotland and has lived and breathed the council since his appointment in April 2000.

“I am immensely proud to have worked for him and to be his successor.

“Everyone knows the challenges this council, like every other, faces in the next few years but I am coming into this job with my eyes open to the challenges and, indeed, the opportunities ahead.

“However, what neither I, nor any other officer of this council, can lose sight of is the responsibility we have to deliver services to the people and businesses of North Lanarkshire.

“I am wholly committed to the task ahead. We have in the authority a skilled workforce and committed elected members and during the next few weeks I will be working closely with Gavin and the Council leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”