North Ayrshire has announced its new official commercial boss.

David Hammond was confirmed as the council’s commercial head of service late last month after previously serving as interim boss in the post.

The internal appointment was made at a meeting of North Ayrshire Council’s Staffing and Recruitment Committee last month [Tuesday December 21] , with long-serving culture boss Audrey Sutton announced as Executive Director for Communities and education the previous day.

Mr Hammond previously served as a senior manager for sustainability and directorate performance at North Ayrshire Council after gaining a town and regional planning degree at The University of Dundee and a certificate in Business Administration and Management at the The Open University.

We reported last week how Audrey Sutton had been appointed as Executive Director Communities and education after the council previously approved a new chief officer and directorate structure.

North Ayrshire Council said it hoped to streamline its services confirming changes now underway and will take effect in two phases.

The council announced that by the time the restructure is complete, directorates and Executive Directors will reduce from four to two and the post of one Head of Service will be removed and a dedicated director post to deliver growth and investment will be created.

Chief Executive Craig Hatton said: “We have great ambitions for the people of North Ayrshire and its economy. The result will be a more streamlined, efficient structure which will allow us to be leaner, sharper and better positioned to focus on our priorities.

“These changes will encourage us to work and think differently. Collaborative working will be key to our future success.”