THE new chief executive of Thanet council is to be Richard Samuel, currently director of community services for Sevenoaks District Council. Mr Samuel, selected from a short-list of three candidates, is expected to take up the top post within the next three months.

Mr Samuel, 48, lives in east Kent and has worked in the region as well as for Bristol City Council. Thanet council leader Cllr Richard Nicholson said the appointment was made by an overwhelming majority of councillors. He added: "We have been very impressed with all the candidates but we feel Mr Samuel is the right man for the job.

“We believe he will bring skills best suited to our needs and his vision for Thanet’s development is impressive. He is aware of our short and long term aspirations and knows our problems of resources. He is aware of the need for the voluntary and private sector to work together as part of the council’s continuing regeneration of the district and of the increasing liaison with organisations like the Government Office for the South east and the South East England Development Association.

“We believe Mr Samuel will steer us forward in a positive manner. He is also up to date with the policies of central government and Whitehall and what they could mean to Thanet.”

The present chief executive, David Ralls leaves, Thanet council at the end of October and deputy chief executive Tony Rush will have a holding role until Mr Samuel takes over.