Since July three different people have held the top job with Monmouthshire education authority.

Now, following a special meeting of the authority, Sarah McGuinness has been appointed as its new chief officer on a permanent basis - although she will not take up her post until May, after the publication in March of the Estyn Report into local authority services for Children and Young People.

Andy Keep, who was appointed Monmouthshire's head of Children and Young People in 2005, retired in July and as an interim measure Malcolm Morris was appointed to the role until he retired in November.

After advertising the vacancy, Hannah Woodhouse was appointed to the position, but she decided not to take up the role after deciding the timing wasn't right to relocate her family from Cambridgeshire.

The new incumbent is no stranger to the area as Ms McGuinness grew up in the Rhymney Valley and, after graduating from Cardiff and Leicester universities, took her first teaching position in Blaenau Gwent.

Her career led her to London where she has undertaken a number of leadership roles. Her most recent headship involved overseeing two schools in an area of significant social, cultural and economic challenge serving over 1,400 pupils at full capacity.

Her track record is in school improvement and she has taken on the challenge of supporting a school out of special measures to become 'outstanding', as well as ensuring sustained standards and results.

Ms McGuinness' work has resulted in educational provision that consistently exceeds the national average in terms of educational outcomes.

Education is one of Monmouthshire's three corporate priorities and the authority is embarking on an ambitious £80 million programme to bring the county's four high schools up to 21st Century standards.

Ms McGuinness, a fluent Welsh speaker, said: "In a time of change and innovation in the educational landscape I am enthused with the knowledge that Monmouthshire's children and young people have a very bright future ahead.

"Excellence in teaching and learning are my priorities and form the backbone of my track record in school improvement.

"I particularly look forward to working with the committed staff and councillors I have met at Monmouthshire. It is their own enthusiasm and strongly held belief in improvement that lights the path for excellence at the authority."

She added: "This is a wonderful opportunity to lead education in a council and authority with a reputation for its outward-looking plans for improvement across all sectors of the community and its commitment to widespread public benefit."

During the transition period the authority are making robust interim arrangements for the management of this vital service. Paul Matthews Monmouthshire's chief executive, will undertake the statutory responsibilities that go with the role and will be assisted by a small experienced interim team.

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, the cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: "I'm delighted that Ms McGuinness has accepted this key post. We want to build on our already high standards of pupil attainment, carry out an £80 million modernisation of our four high schools and deal with the financial challenge being faced by the entire UK public sector.

"I am sure that Sarah's enthusiasm and the experience she brings to us will help our children and young people to gain even more than they already do from the excellent opportunities our education service offers."