A woman is to take on the most senior role at Leeds City Council for the first time ever following a unanimous vote of councillors.

Mariana Pexton was elected the interim chief executive of the second largest local authority in the country in the vote at a meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Pexton, who is the council’s director of strategy and resources, will take up the position when current chief executive Tom Riordan leaves later this month.

Following the vote, Ms Pexton said she would be focusing her efforts on improving the “efficiency and effectiveness” of the authority.

Mr Riordan, who announced his intention to leave Leeds City Council earlier this year, will be taking up a post as a permanent secretary in the Department of Health and Social Care.

Ms Pexton has worked for the authority since 2000 and has held senior roles in strategy, customer services and children’s services.

She will be the first woman to take the helm at the authority as either a town clerk or chief executive since its creation almost 400 years ago.

Leeds has had a council since 1626 and became a metropolitan borough council in 1974.

On accepting the interim chief executive role, she said: “It’s a great privilege to have this opportunity and I’m completely committed to the council and to Leeds.

“I will be focused on consolidating all the ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the council, while working towards delivering a balanced budget.

“I am also determined that alongside this work, we continue to operate as a team, both within the council and, more broadly, to make the most of opportunities to help improve lives across the city.”

At the same meeting, Mr Riordan received a standing ovation as he addressed the full council for the last time, speaking of his memories of his time in office.

He told councillors he had worked with a “fantastic team” and “brilliant officers” over his 14 years in the role.

Leaving the authority for the Department of Health and Social Care, he said he would split his time between Leeds and London.

“There are few bigger challenges than health and social care, and not many bigger opportunities to make a positive difference to people,” he added.

“I have had an incredibly enjoyable career at Leeds City Council and will miss everyone greatly, but I know I’m leaving the council in safe hands.”

Ms Pexton will formally take up the interim chief executive post on 23 September.

She will continue in the role until the recruitment process for a permanent chief executive has been completed.

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