Barnet Borough Council’s chief operating officer is leaving his role.

In an email to all councillors, Andrew Travers, Barnet’s chief executive, confirmed that Chris Naylor has accepted a job as the chief executive of Barking & Dagenham Council.

He wrote: “This is a short note to let you all know that Chris Naylor has been offered and accepted the post of chief executive at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Chris and when he leaves he will be sorely missed.

“Chris has done, and will continue to do, a great job in managing our relationship with Capita and through the development of the MTFS (medium term financial strategy) preparing this council for a challenging five years.

“He intends to take up his new post at the start of February next year.”