A council chief who grew up in Bradford has been chosen to head a new Commission on Integration and Cohesion.

Darra Singh is has been appointed chairman of the new body by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Ruth Kelly.

The Government says the Commission has been set up to consider how local areas can make the most of benefits from increasing diversity.

It aims to develop practical approaches to build communities' own ways to prevent problems, including those caused by segregation and the dissemination of extremism. Mr Singh, chief executive of Ealing Council, said he was honoured to take up the position.

He added: "What excites me is the possibility of bringing together a group of people with different experience for a vigorous debate on how we can do better in building cohesive communities. The implications of recent changes to the make-up of our communities are an urgent issue."

Mr Singh, who is in his mid-40s and married with a young daughter, was born in Wolverhampton but grew up in Bradford and last year received an OBE for services to local government.

He was appointed chief executive of Ealing Council in April 2005 after four years as chief executive at Luton.

The civil servant is also a member of the awards panel on the Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign and recently met former Liverpool wing wizard John Barnes when he awarded the club accreditation under the campaign. Mr Singh will now work with Ruth Kelly to identify and appoint a remaining nine commissioners - and the first meeting of the Commission will be arranged in the next few months.

The Commission will report directly to the Secretary of State and plans to run a programme of consultation, public meetings and events across the country with recommendations expected next June.