Suffolk County Council has appointed Deborah Cadman as its new permanent chief executive responsible for achieving £50m savings over the next two financial years.

Ms Cadman, currently chief executive at the soon to be abolished East of England Development Agency brings 28 years public sector experience to the role including six years as boss at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, a Suffolk district council, which she led from a fair to excellent government rating.

Her salary, fixed at £155,000 without provision for bonuses or pay increments, is £63,592 less than her controversial predecessor Andrea Hill.

Following her appointment, Ms Cadman said: ‘The political direction at Suffolk County Council is clear and I want to work with the leadership, and with staff, who I know have a genuine commitment to delivering for the people of Suffolk.'

Welcoming the appointment, council leader Cllr Mark Bee hailed Ms Cadman as ‘a first class chief executive' who, ‘brings with her a wealth of experience that will help us overcome the challenges we face.'

Charged with redesigning how the council works, following the scrapping of the New Strategic Direction programme, the incoming chief will be faced with reducing senior management costs, dealing with increased demand for services, delivering the county's ambitious broadband programme and rationalising the public sector estate.

Other short-listed candidates included Lucy Robinson, director of economy, skills and environment who had served as interim chief executive following Ms Hill's departure, chief executive of two local districts, Stephen Baker, and former chief executive of Telford Council Victor Brownlees.