A council has appointed an experienced director of resources to help deliver "continuous improvement."

Chris Warren, who has joined Rossendale Borough Council, said he is "passionate" about delivering the best value for public money.

He joins the council with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, having begun his career in finance and spending the last five years as a head of service in the financial team at Lancashire County Council (LCC).

During his time at the county council, Chris led the team through one of its largest transformations in a decade, overseeing the implementation of its new core financial management system.

He also played a key role in managing the £1.2 billion school budget and driving financial initiatives across the special educational needs and disabilities agenda.

Chris said: “The state of public sector finance and the need for a revised funding model will be a challenge.

"Ensuring that every pound is used efficiently is going to be crucial for all of us working in local government.

"I'm passionate about delivering the best value for public money and continuous improvement.

"The opportunity to work for Rossendale Borough Council, which does great things for its residents, really attracted me to this role.” 

Rossendale Council's chief executive Rob Huntington added: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to the Council.

"His wealth of experience, particularly his leadership during a major transformation at LCC, will be invaluable as we continue to navigate challenging financial times.

"His expertise and passion for continuous improvement will help ensure that we deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents.”