Susanna White takes joint health and social care leadership role in Southwark

Susanna White is to succeed Chris Bull as director of health and community services at Southwark Council and chief executive of Southwark Primary Care Trust .

The role is the only one of its kind in London and one of very few in the country, the others including Knowsley in Merseyside, where Anita Marsland fills the position.

The first such role, held by Julia Ross in Barking and Dagenham, broke down after two years, in 2003, after a disagreement between the council and the PCT.

Chris Bull has been appointed deputy chief executive of the council.