A SENIOR director at Cumbria County Council has left his post after nine years.

Dominic Donnini had served as executive director for economy and infrastructure since 1st May, earning £125,000-a-year.

It followed a restructure at the top of the council by chief executive Katherine Fairclough who joined in March 2017.

Mr Donnini, aged 51, declined to be drawn on the circumstances of his departure.

He said: “I’m moving on to look for a new challenge. I have been at Cumbria County Council nearly 10 years and have achieved a lot as I have led virtually every service except social care.”

Mr Donnini was widely credited for his role in helping Cumbria get back on its feet in the aftermath of the 2015-16 winter floods.

He added: “The response and recovery to Storm Desmond has been a massive career highlight as has been the reduction in the corporate office estate from 60-plus offices to seven and saving millions.”

In the early 1990s, Mr Donnini served as a captain in the Royal Engineers.

He then studied at Sheffield Hallam University before moving into a management post in the private sector.

Mr Donnini said: “I am currently talking to a number of businesses about future opportunities. I came to Cumbria County Council from the private sector and am considering options for a return.”

Colleagues described him as “highly-skilled” with a “can do attitude”.

In a short statement, the council said: “Dom has held a number of senior roles, playing a leading part in managing the recovery from the devastating flooding in the county.  We wish him well in the future.”