Brent Council have appointed a new chief executive.

Carolyn Downs will take over the role from Christine Gilbert later this year.

Ms Downs is currently the chief executive of the Local Government Association, a role she has held since November 2011.

She was previously the deputy permanent secretary and director general of corporate performance at the Ministry of Justice where she was responsible for all corporate services, including finance, estates, personnel, risk management, business planning and communications.

From 2003 to 2009, Ms Downs was the chief executive of Shropshire County Council, where she was responsible for a budget of £500 million a year and a staff of 12,000.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “Carolyn was the outstanding candidate in what was a highly competitive recruitment process, and I am confident that she will bring with her a wealth of public sector experience and enthusiasm to Brent, at a time when this council and local authorities everywhere face such unprecedented challenges.

“I have no doubt at all that with Carolyn’s passion for and experience in local government and her drive to succeed, that we have appointed the right person to help navigate the borough through the challenging times ahead and help make Brent a better borough.”

Ms Gilbert, a former chief executive at Tower Hamlets and chief inspector at education watchdog Ofsted, took over the role on an interim basis in September 2012 following the sudden depature of Gareth Daniel.

Mr Daniel left his £203,342-a-year post after 14 years following a fallout with Cllr Butt who became the leader of the council in May 2012.

Ms Downs appointment will be ratified at a full council meeting on June 22.

Related link: Former Ofsted boss announced as new Brent Council Chief Executive