FULL COUNCIL CONFIRMS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Councillors have confirmed the appointment of Gordon Mole as the new Chief Executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Gordon will take up the key post, which includes the statutory roles of Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, in the summer after serving his notice as Head of Business and Employability at Fife Council.

The appointment was formally agreed at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday night.

Gordon emerged as the preferred candidate following an extensive recruitment campaign which attracted 28 applicants. During the rigorous selection process, a panel of elected members reached the unanimous decision to recommend him for the top position.

Gordon said: “I’m really looking forward to taking on this new challenge and joining a fantastic council. I’ll be focusing on continuing to deliver excellent services for residents and making sure that there is continuity of leadership on issues which are of concern to communities, such as Walleys Quarry, as well as bringing new perspective and insight to wider priorities including sustainability, income generation and major regeneration.”

Gordon succeeds Martin Hamilton who stood down at the end of March after five years at the authority.