South Ayrshire Council has announced a new depute chief executive and director – people, and director – place as the first appointments to its new chief officer management structure.

The local authority said the appointments mark the next steps to putting people and places at the heart of everything it does.

New depute chief executive and director – people Douglas Hutchison will have responsibility for culture, sports and leisure; community engagement; community learning and development; community safety; corporate and community planning and improvement; housing policy and strategy; internal audit; learning and raising standards; outdoor education and physical activities; school staffing and administration; school resources and children and young people’s services; and public affairs.

As new director – place, Donald Gillies will be responsible for asset management (including community asset transfer); capital programme; corporate procurement; economic development; facilities management; housing development; housing management; neighbourhood services; planning; building control; professional design services; property maintenance.

David Burns and Mike Newall have also been appointed as executive managers to support the directors.

Two more executive managers and a head of regulatory services will also be appointed in the coming weeks, following a recruitment exercise.

Council leader, Councillor Douglas Campbell, said: “These appointments are an important step in our journey to transform this organisation and ensure we’re structured in the best possible way to deliver for our people and our places.

“This new approach will allow us to bring services and people together in a way that maximises impact, tackles disadvantage, and makes the most of the resources we have and I’m looking forward to seeing the difference this makes.”