THURROCK Council has a new Corporate Director of Children, Education and Families.

Jo Olsson, who is currently the Deputy Director of Children Service at Waltham Forest Council, joins the council next month.

She has spent the last five years at Waltham Forest, helping transform a service from “in special measures” to “good with some outstanding features” and has also worked with childrens’ charities NCH and NSPCC.

She said of her new job: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining colleagues who, I know, have been working very hard to make sure children and young people in Thurrock have every opportunity to be happy and successful in life.

“I am looking forward to building on the successes already achieved and working towards an even better future for children, their families and the community.”

Councillor Sue MacPherson, Thurrock’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “The work Jo has been involved with in the past highlights her commitment to young people and I’m sure that commitment will translate into success here as it has done at Waltham Forest.

“I’d like to take this chance to welcome Jo to Thurrock and look forward to her taking up the reins next month.”