HAVERING Council has appointed Dr Mary Black as its first Director of Public Health.
The new role oversees the public health department.
The Northern Irish public health specialist is a medical doctor, writer and technology entrepreneur with experience of working at the Olympics, with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation in the Balkan countries.
The public health department was transferred from the NHS on April 1 as was agreed in the Public Health report, passed by the council.
The transfer of responsibility is part of the larger health reforms be carried out by the coalition Government.
Dr Black said: "I am delighted to be joining the Havering Council team. The opportunities for joint working with council colleagues is something we are all looking forward to."
Councillor Steven Kelly said: "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr Black into the role and we look forward to working with her."
