Worcestershire CC has appointed serving assistant chief executive Clare Marchant to the county's top post at today's meeting of full council.

Worcestershire leader, Cllr Adrian Hardman, said the appointments selection panel interviewed six high calibre candidates who were on the shortlist and considered a wide range of criteria.

‘'I am very pleased that Clare's appointment as the new chief executive has been endorsed today by the full council,' Cllr Hardman said.

‘She has already held an important role as assistant chief executive, which has seen her heavily involved in our council's transformation programme and this appointment will help us see this programme through during the challenging times ahead,' he added.

Ms Marchant, who will take up the chief executive role in May, joined Worcestershire in 2010 to lead the council's change programme. 

Prior to this she was a group programme director in the NHS responsible for overseeing the ‘choose and book' initiative and led the digital scanning programme which is now used throughout the health service.

‘I am hugely proud to have been appointed to serve Worcestershire's local people, businesses and communities,' said Ms Marchant.

‘I believe in a prosperous Worcestershire for all and will continue to listen to local people, businesses and staff,' she added.

Mr Marchant said: ‘We need to continue to look at new and engaging ways to involve all residents in shaping the council of the future.

‘I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute our current Chief Executive Trish Haines by whom I have been hugely inspired,' she added.