DURHAM City Council has appointed a new chief executive - the predecessor's deputy.
Brian Spears, who has worked for the authority for 16 years, will take over from Colin Shearsmith who left at the end of last year.
Mr Spears, who became deputy last year, was previously corporate director for community services and before that director for housing and health.
A council spokesman said: "Brian is a housing professional who has 36 year's experience in local government, 16 of them with Durham City Council.
"He is chairman of the Northern Housing Consortium. As deputy chief executive he has spearheaded improvements in service delivery, financial management, performance management and partnership working.
"As chief executive he is looking forward to the challenge of steering the council through a period of management change which will seek to enhance the quality of life for all those who work or live in, or visit, the city of Durham.''
Mr Shearsmith, who masterminded The Gala Theatre and Millennium City development, retired early due to illness.
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