GORDON Mitchell has been named as the new interim chief executive at Oxford City Council.

He has been drafted in to replace Peter Sloman, who announced his departure in March after almost 10 years as the council's top permanent official.

Mr Mitchell, described as a 'top local government expert' who has previously held permanent and interim chief executive roles in Nottingham, Bracknell Forest, Tewkesbury, Calderdale and Great Yarmouth, will be starting in the £150,000-a-year role this month. 

In a statement released this afternoon the council said Mr Mitchell would 'specifically put forward the Council’s vision to the incoming government on how Oxford can fulfil its role in creating a growing knowledge based economy in the next few years'.

It added: "This vision rejects the idea of a unitary county council and proposes we work through joint arrangements with other councils to agree an infrastructure investment plan for Oxfordshire as part of the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor.

"Gordon has the national credibility and experience to help us build local agreement on this vision and put the case to national government."

Peter Sloman will be around to help Mr Mitchell ease into the role before taking up his new role as chief executive of Reading Borough Council.

Bob Price, leader of Oxford City Council, who chaired the appointments panel, said: “Gordon Mitchell shone through as the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.

"He has the right reputation and experience to steer us through this time. We have a positive vision for the city council to continue to punch above its weight and the contribution the city can make to the country’s economic future.

"We are determined to put our case powerfully and Gordon’s main focus will be to lead this effort.”

The council will consider arrangements for recruiting a permanent chief executive later in the year.