One of Croydon Council's most senior officers has been confirmed as the authority's new temporary boss.

Jo Negrini, currently the council's executive director of place, will take over as interim chief executive following Nathan Elvery's departure on June 24.

Mr Elvery last month announced he was stepping down from the £180,000-a-year role to take charge at West Sussex County Council.

Ms Negrini, who joined Croydon Council in 2014 after previously working for Lambeth and Newham councils, was the only candidate to be interviewed for the position of interim chief executive.

She met with the authority's appointments committee yesterday after enjoying a drink in the Green Dragon pub in High Street the previous evening.

The council today confirmed she had been offered and accepted the position.

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