Valerie Watts.
A former chief executive of Derry City Council is to become the new boss of the Northern Ireland Health Service.
Valerie Watts, who left Derry to become the chief executive of Aberdeen City Council in Scotland in November 2010, has announced she is to leave that post and return to Northern Ireland as successor to John Compton as head of Health and Social Care.
The Banbridge-born woman took up her position in Derry in 2008, having previously worked for a council in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland.
During her time in Derry she headed up the city’s successful bid for the City of Culture title and was involved in the ongoing regeneration plans.
In announcing her decision to leave Aberdeen, Ms Watts said she could not resist the opportunity to take on the “fresh challenge” of health boss here.
In a statement, she said: “This was a tremendously difficult decision that took me some time to make.
“In the end, I could not resist the opportunity to take on the fresh challenge of such a demanding role, improving the wellbeing outcomes for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
