Former teacher formally appointed as Doncaster Council's chief executive with annual salary of £164,000

Damian Allen, who held the chief executive role in an interim position, was formally announced at a recent meeting to take the job on a permanent basis.

He takes over from Jo Miller after she took up a similar role as top boss of Hutt City Council near Wellington, New Zealand.

Allen, who will be paid around £164,000 for his work, joined Doncaster Council as director of people - which includes health and social care and education in 2015 - from the island of Jersey.

The former teacher also held the top education job at Knowsley Council in Merseyside.

Mr Allen said: “It is a great honour to be asked to take up this role and to continue to steer Doncaster on the positive course it has started under Mayor Ros’ leadership.

“I have enjoyed, learned and been inspired by this team at Doncaster Council. It exudes so much passion, commitment and aspiration for the people and the place...Doncaster has an exciting future ahead of it - from devolution and aspiring our young people in education and training, economic potency through to standing shoulder to shoulder with our residents to tackle some of the thorny issues to be dealt with such as litter and fly-tipping.”

Mayor Ros Jones said: “I am delighted to see Damian Allen appointed as our chief executive with the full backing of all our councillors as he has all the skill sets we need to help our borough continue on its improvement journey. ”