Northumberland County Council finally has a new permanent chief executive after Dr Helen Paterson took up her post.
The former boss at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Dr Paterson has said she is looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
She arrives as the permanent replacement for Daljit Lally, who left the authority last summer after a six-figure pay-out was agreed by councillors. Rick O'Farrell, who had served as interim CEO following Mrs Lally's departure, left the council this week.