A CHIEF executive who turned around a failing East Lancashire council has been given a top NHS job.

Owen Williams, former head of Rossendale Council, was responsible for turning around the valley authority after a damning report by the Audit Commission. He has been appointed chief executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, which covers services in Todmorden and Walsden.

Hazel Harding, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust chairman and former Rossendale Council leader, said Mr Williams would be a good candidate for the position.

“Rossendale was going through a particularly difficult time when Owen was chief executive and he did move the authority on,” said Mrs Harding.

“He was well liked by people in the community, and was very much a people person.”

The hospitals trust has been developing close ties with the Calderdale trust over the past two years. Its current chief executive Mark Brearley used to head up operations there.