City council to appoint interim chief executive

Derby City Council has announced Sam Dennis is set to take on the role of interim chief executive.

Dennis, who has previously served as director of communities and strategic director of place at the authority, would hold the position for an initial six months.

Her appointment will need to be approved at a meeting of the council on 29 April, and comes after Paul Simpson stepped down as chief executive on 15 April.

Dennis said: "I am incredibly honoured to lead Derby City Council as interim chief executive. Having worked alongside our dedicated teams for many years, I know that Derby's greatest strength is the resilience of its people."

Nadine Peatfield, leader of the council, added: "I'm pleased to welcome Sam as interim chief executive.

"She has been a driving force for our neighbourhoods and a key leader in our resilience work.

"Together, we are committed to supporting our residents and staff as we navigate the Local Government Reorganisation process and lead the city forward into this next chapter."

Simpson stepped down from the position earlier this month to take on a new role.

He joined the council in 1991 as a trainee accounting technician and returned in 2019 as strategic director of corporate resources and deputy chief executive.

Simpson said it had been a "huge privilege to serve my home city", and he was "immensely proud" of what the authority had achieved together.

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.