Suzanne Wylie has been appointed Belfast City Council's first-ever female chief executive, the culmination of a 25-year career at the authority.

Her appointment brings to an end the recruitment process for the 11 reformed larger councils in Northern Ireland, which rationalise the existing 26 authorities across the devolved administration.

Ms Wylie, a mother of three aged 48, will step up to the top post from her current brief as director of health and environmental services, once current Belfast chief Peter McNaney leaves.

She has previously worked as head of urban development, in strategic policy and planning as well as environmental health officer.

‘I have been responsible in recent years for leading a number of partnerships aimed at making Belfast a safer, healthier, more vibrant and sustainable city,' Ms Wylie said.

‘The months ahead will be extremely challenging as we prepare for the new powers and responsibilities that local government reform will  bring and the new areas that will come into our jurisdiction,' she added.

Gavin Robinson, chairman of the Belfast Statutory transition committee said: ‘We believe she is the right person to take the council into a new era and elected representatives are convinced we can work with her for the good of the city.'

Environment minister, Mark Durkan, whose department is overseeing the transition process said the new chief executives would be instrumental in preparing for reform, leading the new councils and delivering results for them afterwards.