Birmingham City Council has appointed a new interim chief executive.
Europe's largest local authority has recruited Chris Naylor for a 12-month tenure commencing in mid-May.
The council's former finance chief Clive Heaphy was carrying out the role in an interim capacity to land the role permanently.
Mr Heaphy was standing in after previous permanent chief executive Dawn Baxendale announced last summer she was leaving to relocate to New Zealand to become chief executive of Christchurch City Council.
Ms Baxendale joined the local authority in April 2018, replacing Stella Manzie who had been appointed as interim chief executive a year earlier.
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Mr Naylor is currently chief executive of Barking and Dagenham Council and a deal has been struck between the two authorities for him to come to Birmingham for up to a year.
The arrangement is supported by the Local Government Association and the Ministry of Housing Local Government and Communities and is subject to ratification by Birmingham's full council.
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He will join after a handover period with colleagues at the East London council to ensure its response to the covid-19 crisis is secure.
Mr Naylor has had a lengthy career in local government including spells with London councils in Hammersmith and Fulham, Tower Hamlets and Barnet.
He said: "I'm going to miss Barking and Dagenham terribly, as it's a place like no other. But I've huge confidence in our brilliant leadership team to keep the show on the road and continue delivering for the borough's residents.
"It's a huge privilege to be joining Birmingham City Council at this time and I'm excited to have an opportunity to help the city and its people reach their full potential."
City council leader Ian Ward for the role but none of them were suitable, prompting the authority to go back to the drawing board.
He added: "It was important for us to take the time to find the right person for Birmingham and I know in Chris we have found that.
"It is even more important that we get the appointment right now given the challenging circumstances we all find ourselves in.
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"The next 12 months will be some of the most demanding we have ever seen and Chris will strengthen a team who are already working incredibly hard to support our most vulnerable during this difficult time.
"This arrangement is a great reflection on how the local government family works together to offer mutual support, sharing the best ideas and the best people.
"I look forward to working with Chris and thank Barking and Dagenham for being so accommodating."