Surrey County Council has appointed a new Executive Director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning.

Rachael Wardell starts in early December, joining from her current role as Director of Children, Schools and Families for Merton.

Previously she spent five years as Director of Children’s and Adult Social Services at West Berkshire Council and held posts at Ofsted.

Rachael’s appointment follows the sudden death of the council’s previous Executive Director Dave Hill in June.