A FORMER chief executive of Wigan Council has landed a lead role in a neighbouring Greater Manchester authority.

Donna Hall, who brought an eight year tenure at the town hall to an end last month, has been unveiled as the new chairperson of Bolton’s NHS trust.

Ms Hall said the move would be a homecoming as she is a "proud born and bred Boltonian".

Having announced in December her plans to retire from her roles in Wigan, the former top officer at Chorley council has been succeeded by her deputy, Alison McKenzie-Folan.

She will take up responsibilities in Bolton from next month, replacing David Wakefield.

“I am very excited to be joining Bolton NHS Foundation Trust at what is an important for both the trust and for Bolton,” she said.

“I am a proud born and bred Boltonian who grew up in Breightmet and returned to live and raise my family in Bolton after studying at university.

“I love the place and I love the people. I feel proud and privileged to have been chosen to take on the role of chair.”

Ms Hall, described as a "public service pioneer" by GM mayor Andy Burnham, has been credited with playing a lead role in shaping the city-region’s health and social care devolution programme.

In Wigan she had also been the accountable officer of the borough’s clinical commissioning group (CCG).

Trust chief executive, Jackie Bene, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Donna to the trust at what is a very exciting time.

“We are forging strong relationships with partners in health and social care to improve the health of our local population and ensure best value for the Bolton Pound – the money that we have collectively to spend on services.

“Donna’s experience will be an asset to the organisation.”