Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable has been announced as the choice to take the top role at West Midlands.

Craig Guildford is set to succeed Sir Dave Thompson who is standing down after the Commonwealth Games.

The West Midlands, the second-largest in the country, has chosen an experienced leader from a neighbouring force rather than promoting from within its own ranks.

He has a reputation for pushing innovation; with initiatives like multi-role policing teams focusing on the road network and data development.

His force is also rated as the best in the country for BAME recruitment and support for BAME officers – something needed for a force area that is one of the most diverse in the UK.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “Craig Guildford will be responsible for working with me to deliver my Police and Crime Plan and my core pledge of rebuilding community policing.

“I also expect the incoming Chief Constable to reduce crime and drive recruitment to make West Midlands Police look more like the communities it serves.”

Mr Guildford has been Chief at Nottinghamshire for five years.

His policing career began when he joined Cheshire Constabulary as a Police Constable in 1994 after completing a Geography degree at the University of Derby. He had previously served as a volunteer Special Constable with the same force since 1992.

In 2000, he was seconded to the National Crime Squad in Manchester where he worked in intelligence and targeted operations. He then joined  West Yorkshire in 2012 before moving to Gwent to become their Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) in April 2014.

His appointment means Nottinghamshire will be entering a recruitment market that has seen more than half of forces appoint new Chiefs - and significant concerns being raised over political pressures.

PCCs have also raised concern over the pool of candidates available for leadership roles.

Mr Guildford said: “I can’t wait to get to know the communities of the West Midlands and to help make their streets safer.

“Chief Constable of West Midlands Police is one of the top policing jobs in the country, it is an honour to be put forward for the role. Sir David Thompson has been an excellent Chief Constable and I wish him well.”