BURY Council has appointed its first woman director.

Ms Julie Goulding will lead the largest and biggest-spending department as director of personal and community services.

She joins Bury next month to take control of education, social services and housing from retiring boss Mr Sandy Paterson in the new year.

Ms Goulding has spent a career in the NHS and established her credentials at national and international level, most recently as chief executive of Northumberland's Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS Trust.

She has held senior positions in several health trusts and has been an adviser to Professor Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer.

She is an adviser to the board of the New University of Catalonia, a member of the Law Society and Institute of Health Services Management and has worked with the Armed Forces Hospital Management Board in Riyadh.

Mr Dennis Taylor, council chief executive, said: "Julie will bring an exciting new dimension to the council with a rich array of skills and experience drawn from over 20 years service in the public sector at the highest level."

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