Rotherham MBC names Pearson as new Assistant Director of Legal Services

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has appointed Dermot Pearson, currently Acting City Solicitor at City of Bradford, as its new Assistant Director of Legal Services.

Pearson was unanimously appointed by an all-party panel, supported by the council’s Commissioners. He will be Rotherham’s Monitoring Officer.

Pearson has 24 years’ experience of working as a solicitor in a variety of local authorities, having previously worked at Kirklees and Wakefield councils as well as authorities in East Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Cornwall.

He said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed to this role, at what is a time of much change and improvement for Rotherham Council. I look forward to joining colleagues in the New Year to make a positive contribution to this work as the authority continues to move forward.

"My experience in local government has spanned more than 20 years, working in a variety of authorities. At Bradford I’ve been proud to be part of the leadership of the organisation which, like all local authorities, has faced difficult issues and financial challenges, and I will draw on this experience in my new role in Rotherham."

Subject to contract, Pearson is expected to be in post by March.