Former Kent CC chief executive, Katherine Kerswell has been appointed director general for civil service reform, a role with responsibility for driving through radical change at the heart of Whitehall.

Ms Kerswell will work closely with senior civil servants across departments to help implement reform plans, launched in June, aimed at shaping a post-austerity era Whitehall which is smaller, more unified, quicker to respond and better at running major projects.

With 25 years experience in local government, Ms Kerswell, who has served as chief executive in four different councils over the past 14 years - including Northamptonshire CC and Solihull MBC – stepped down from the top post at Kent CC at the end of 2011 following a management overhaul.

It emerged this month that Kerswell received the biggest senior management pay-off in the sector last year- leaving Kent with £589,165 after serving as managing director for 20 months.  In her new role, Ms Kerswell will earn a £142,000 salary.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, said: ‘Katherine brings experience and expertise to this crucial role and I look forward to working with her as she implements the Reform plan. We will continue to draw on ideas and insights from civil servants, senior officials and ministers as we work to improve the Civil Service.'

Sir Bob Kerslake, who is head of the civil service and permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government expressed his delight at Ms Kerswell's appointment.