Gateshead MBC has announced the appointment of Darren Collins as strategic director of finance and ICT, replacing Derek Coates when he retires in December 2012.

Mr Collins has been deputy director of finance and ICT since 2004, having joined Gateshead in 1989 as a trainee auditor/accountant. During his 23 years with the council, he has held a number of senior management posts, including deputy treasurer to Northumbria Police Authority. He takes up the post of strategic director of finance and ICT on 1 January 2013.