Newcastle City Council has named its new chief executive. Pat Ritchie, currently chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will take up the post, subject to ratification by the council.

Leader of the authority, Cllr Nick Forbes said: 'I am delighted that Ms Ritchie is joining us. She is a high-profile, national figure, with an unrivalled track record for delivering the kind of economic regeneration, jobs and new homes that Newcastle needs.