A man who started out his career in as a student environmental health officer has been appointed as the acting chief executive at Barking and Dagenham Council.
Dave Woods took up an environmental health job with the council in 1970 and has since held a variety of posts within the public sector body, including director of housing and health.
He has been corporate director of customer services since 2003, with his responsibilities including housing services and environment and enforcement.
Mr Woods is to replace Rob Whiteman, who is leaving the council to become the chief executive at the Improvement and Development Agency at the end of May 2010.
"I am looking forward to bringing about the developments that are now in the pipeline and to continue developing the council's policy of ensuring value for money services," said Mr Woods.
Barking and Dagenham Council is waiting to currently waiting to hear if its application for government funding to build 191 new council houses has been successful.
