City of Melville in WA has appointed its first female CEO with Gail Bowman taking up the position.

Ms Bowman, who was previously the City’s director of community development, was considered the best person for the job out 59 applicants from across Australia.

The new position follows a lifetime career in local, state and community organganisations for Ms Bowman, including at City of Cockburn, City of Fremantle and the WA Department of Housing.

Mayor Katy Mair says Ms Bowman has an extensive background in community, corporate strategy, risk and governace, and will play a key role in reviewing the city’s strategic community plan.

“She has a strong vision to ensure that the organisation is aligned with the priorities of the Community and Council, and that the administration delivers these through services and projects that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible, with strong governance and transparency, and the customer at the heart of everything we do,” Cr Mair said in a statement.

Ms Bowman said she was excited to lead the City of Melville organisation and staff, and to work with the community and Council.

“I also want to ensure high performance in the delivery of excellent customer and community-centric services and facilities that meet the needs of our diverse Melville community in a sustainable way,” she said.

As well as now having a female CEO, City of Melville’s mayor and deputy mayors are both women and seven of Council’s 13 elected members are also female.