A lawyer and Brent councillor who campaigns to tackle antisocial and environmental issues in Wembley has been given the job of chairing Preston Park primary school's board of governors.

Cllr Ketan Sheth, who represents Wembley Central on the council, takes up his new role after City banker Hari Varanasi stepped down.

His appointment was made by the school’s executive head, Georgina Nutton.

“We were determined to find a figure that would echo Hari,” she said. “Ketan is perfect to take on the mantle (as he) embodies everything a Preston Park chair should be.”

Cllr Ketan currently chairs Wembley’s Ashley College and also on the advisory board of the University of East London where he is an honorary fellow.

He takes the baton from Deutsche Bank director Varanasi, who used his finance and technology experience to help the school.

Preston Park Primary aims for all its children to be competent readers by seven years old, using a phonics programme with “precision teaching” and one-to-one tuition.