A NEW man is to take over running many health services in Huddersfield.

Owen Williams – currently chief executive of Calderdale Council – is to be the new chief executive of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

He will start his new full-time post in mid May and takes over from Diane Whittingham, who is stepping down.

Ms Whittingham was on a salary of £190,000. Mr Williams, 43, has been on a salary of about £160,000 with the council and his new salary will be determined by the trust’s remuneration panel.

His appointment was ratified by the trust’s membership council.

Mr Williams has had extensive involvement in local healthcare decisions and knows the communities served by the trust very well.

He was brought up in Bradford and studied at Bradford College before going on to take a degree and a Phd.

He has been chief executive of the council since 2007 and was previously chief executive of Rossendale Council.

Mr Williams said: “I am delighted to be joining the trust which has an excellent reputation.