A new finance director has been appointed by Oxford City Council.

Mark Luntley, 42, currently the deputy director of finance at Western Isles Council, in Scotland, will take up his post in May.

He will be strategic director with responsibility for finance, audit, information technology, legal and revenue matters, and property and benefits.

Before joining Western Isles, in the Outer Hebrides, Mr Luntley was head of audit and review at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in London.

The city council's chief executive, Marion Headicar, said: "I'm delighted that Mark is going to join us. He has a track record of transforming council financial systems and I look forward to him using his strategic skills to enhance the performance of the council."

Mr Luntley said: "It's an enormously exciting role. I was very impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of councillors and managers to further improve Oxford's services, and I'm keen to play a part in the process."

Council leader Corinna Redman chaired the committee that appointed Mr Luntley.

Councillors John Goddard, Paul Ingram, Maureen Christian and Peter Moss also made the appointment.

Mr Luntley will take over from Peter Argent, the interim strategic director.

The city council's two other strategic directors are Isobel Garner and Neil Gibson.