Peter Gilroy, the chief executive of Kent County Council, has revealed he spent nine months living in hostels after becoming homeless when his family died suddenly when he was 15.

Last year he earned £299,999, more than any other council boss in the country, and more than the Prime Minister.

He made the revelation about his early life in a speech given at the launch of Porchlight, the new name for homeless charity East Kent Cyrenians.

In an exclusive interview, Mr Gilroy talked openly about his experience.

Asked how he felt as a 15-year-old with no home or family he said: “Very angry. Why did this happen to me?

"You go into denial for a long time and then you’re into anger for a long time.

“I don’t think you ever get over a bereavement, you come to terms with it.”

He highlighted the importance of charities like Porchlight that work with vulnerable people.

In the speech given at Eastwell Manor, near Ashford, he said it was important to drive up expectations in standards of care by carrying out the “I test” and asking: “Would I use and be happy with this service?”

Asked how he pulled himself out of a life in hostels and into a job where he manages a team of 40,000 people and earns over £4,000 per week, Mr Gilroy said he went overseas and did voluntary work and then recognised the importance of an education, before becoming a social worker.

He said: “I was lucky and very fortunate, but others are not so fortunate. But I’ve never forgotten.”

The council chief described how he believes a happy family life during his early childhood, plus a combination of resilience and a sense of humour, got him through.

Asked how understanding homelessness though experience benefits his current role, he answered that it has left him with greater insight.

He added: “As a chief executive I have a lot of stress in this job, but not the sort of stress you can get if you’re on the streets and homeless.”

KCC chief earns £207k - that's more than the PM>>>