Cheshire East Council is set to appoint Kath O'Dwyer as its new Director of Children's Services and Deputy Chief Executive.
Kath is currently National Director, Social Care at Ofsted and previously headed up children's services at Warrington Borough Council.
The Council's staffing committee has unanimously recommended the appointment and it has the support of political group leaders, who have already consulted their members about it. Full council will be asked for its formal endorsement in a vote on July 23rd.
Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member for children's services, said: "Kath has an exceptional track record both at Ofsted and in local authorities.
"She improves performance while giving her colleagues real confidence in the quality of the services they provide.
"Kath believes in putting the child at the centre of everything the service does and her appointment is a testament to our determination to make Cheshire East the very best place to grow up.
"We aim to do the very best for our children by tackling the root causes of problems rather than just the symptoms."
Mike Suarez, Chief Executive, said: "The Director of Children's Services is a critical role within the Council.
"I am looking forward to working with Kath to transform our children's services in line with the ambitious, innovation-led programme that the Council has set out.
"I am very pleased that she will be supporting me in a wider corporate role with her national experience."
Kath, who has 32 years' experience in the strategic leadership, operational management and delivery of services to vulnerable residents, said: "I am passionate about ensuring the best possible outcomes for children.
"Cheshire East and its partner organisations share that passion and I am very excited about the opportunity to lead their plans within the context of wider public sector transformation in children's services."
Council Leader, Councillor Michael Jones, said: "This is further proof of Cheshire East Council's excellence and flexibility. I say thanks to all my colleagues and I fully endorse this outstanding candidate."
This news follows last week's announcement that a review of the senior management structure at Cheshire East Council. As a result, the role of executive director for strategic commissioning became redundant so Lorraine Butcher will be leaving the Council.
Lorraine said "After six years of working for Cheshire East Council, I have taken the decision that now is the right time to move on to seek new challenges in my career in pastures new."
Mike Suarez, Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council, said: "I would like to thank Lorraine for her significant contribution and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
"The Council has come a long way and Lorraine should feel proud of the part that she and others have played in ensuring that residents of Cheshire East have access to good services."
Mrs Butcher added: "Having been part of the leadership team that established the Council when it was formed in 2009, I have been pleased to have played a strong role in my respective roles of head of children and families, director of children's services, strategic director of people and, latterly, executive director for strategic commissioning.
"The challenges faced by councils, and the public sector in general, are significant. I am keen to make a wider contribution to these in ways that give me more flexibility about how I deploy my skills and experience.
"I would like to thank all those colleagues that I have worked with, and who have supported me, along with those from partner agencies across the sub-region who share my commitment to do the very best for residents, through finding new and frequently better solutions to our shared challenges".
