South Ayrshire Council has appointed Eileen Howat to be the next chief executive.

Ms Howat has been an executive director with South Ayrshire since 2008. She currently leads the resources, governance and organisation directorate. She has previously been South Ayrshire's assistant chief executive and head of finance and ICT. She has been with the council since it was formed in 1996 and prior to that held various finance posts with Strathclyde Regional Council.