Judith Armitt has been appointed the new chief executive of Local Partnerships, replacing Helen Bailey who left last December to work on the Mayor of London's policing strategy.

Armitt joins Local Partnerships from the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit, and was previously chief executive of the Thames Gateway and chief executive of Medway Council.

Local Partnerships has also announced a new chairman, Sir David Wootton, who replaces Edward Lord. Sir David became a Partner at Allen & Overy the international law firm in 1979. He was knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to legal business, charity and the City of London.