An internal candidate is set to become the new chief executive of ~Birmingham City Council~ .~Stephen Hughes~ 52, who is currently interim chief executive with the council, fills the £195,000 post, which includes a performance-related supplement.

The job has been vacant since Lin Homer left last summer to join the Home Office. Mr Hughes began his career in the public sector in 1979 working as an economist in the finance department at ~Coventry City Council~. He has since worked as deputy secretary of the Association of London Authorities, head of finance and property services at Islington LBC, and director of finance at Brent LBC.