The inquiry examining how children in care in Notts were subjected to decades of abuse has a new leader less than a week after the previous chair quit.
Professor Alexis Jay has taken over the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the Government announced on Thursday.
The inquiry is investigating how hundreds of children came to be abused while coming into contact with several high-profile institutions and public figures.
Among its main strands of investigation are Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.
Professor Jay replaces Dame Lowell Goddard, who stepped down last week after the inquiry faced criticism for moving too slowly.
Professor Jay led the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham which found that at least 1,400 children were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in the town between 1997 and 2013.
She is also an existing member of the inquiry’s board.
Her arrival was welcomed by David Hollas, from the Nottinghamshire Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry Action Group.
He said: “She has an impressive track record and has the confidence of survivors through the work she did in Rotherham. It was our understanding that she herself would lead the specific strand here in Nottinghamshire.
“I am sure she has heard the criticisms of the inquiry, and have no doubt that she will deliver a greater pace to the inquiry. As a panel member I am also sure she well understands the choice of inquiry strands and will resist calls to reshape and curtail this inquiry.
“The speed of replacement is to be applauded to maintain confidence and prevent a vacuum that the naysayers and critics would have been able to exploit.
Professor Jay said: “The panel and I are determined to make progress on all parts of the inquiry’s work, including speaking to victims and survivors.
“I am determined to overcome the challenges along the way. I will lead the largest public inquiry of its kind and together with my fellow panel members we will fearlessly examine institutional failures, past and present and make recommendations so that the children of England and Wales are better protected now and in the future.”
Hundreds of people have alleged they were abused as children while in care homes run by Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.
The claims, which date from the 1950s to the 2000s, are subject to several criminal court cases.
Later this month alleged victims from Nottinghamshire will start to give private face-to-face accounts to the inquiry team for the first time.
Professor Jay is now the fourth woman to chair the investigation – two other leaders also stepped down before Dame Goddard.
